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Fire crews were called to multiple flooding incidents in Tauranga, and six Whangamatā properties were inundated after an intense thunderstorm band moved over the region overnight.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said they were called to 10 properties with flooding between 11pm and 1am.
“They included flooded houses and a garage,” she said.
Crews assisted occupants and pumped water, she said.
A Bay Radiology employee told the Bay of Plenty Times there would be no appointments available at Promed House on Tenth Ave today due to flooding.
MetService meteorologist John Law said a band of intense thunderstorms moved over the Bay of Plenty last night, resulting in intense periods of rainfall.
Washout on State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Hikuai.
“The MetService weather station at Tauranga Airfield reported 53.7 millimetres between 11pm and 1am, with the majority of the rainfall, 49mm, falling between 11pm and midnight,” he said.
Isolated thunderstorms over the Western Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, near the eastern ranges of Waikato and about Coromandel Peninsula were expected to continue this morning, with heavy rain and hail possible.
Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is reporting a washout on the southbound lane of State Highway 25, between Hikuai and Whangamatā, and the road is closed.
The highway only re-opened at the end of last month from both sides after access was cut off during Cyclone Gabrielle.
State Highway 25A is one of the main tourist routes for holidaymakers heading to the Thames-Coromandel region, but it was closed in January after the formation of deep cracks, slips and flooding damage from ex-cyclone Hale.
The road was expected to be closed for up to a year.
Yesterday, police were encouraging people to be safe and consider the weather before leaving home.
“Police urge motorists to take care on the roads and drive to the conditions,” a spokesperson said.
“Ensure you maintain a good following distance between other vehicles. In bad weather, increase your following distance to allow more time for stopping.”
