Nearly 20mms of rain has fallen over Tauranga since midnight but the worst is yet to come warn weather authorities.
Metservice recorded 18.8mm of rain between 12am and 8am today, as another severe weather warning is issued for the Bay of Plenty area.
A breakdown of forecasted rain in Tauranga today shows heavy rain expected to drench Tauranga leading up to and around midday and again later this afternoon. A peak intensity of 11.6mm of rain is expected between 10am and 12pm.
A severe weather warning issued at 9am said a front was moving slowly eastwards across the North Island and a low, formerly Cyclone Donna, over Northland was expected top move south this afternoon before moving east.
For parts of the Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne between 150mm and 200mm of rain could accumulate. Lower parts of the Bay is expected to receive 80 to 110mm. Localised downpours could have intensities of 25 to 40mm an hour, Metservice warned.