Up to 200mm of rain is expected to drench the Western Bay of Plenty today as a severe weather warning remains in place for the region.
Heavy rain soaked the Bay yesterday and today is expected to bring even more wet.
From 5am yesterday to 4pm, 45.4mm of rain had been recorded in the Kaimai Ranges, 23.4mm at Tauranga Airport and 32.7mm at Te Puke.
MetService forecaster Frances Russell said a moist, north-easterly flow was feeding across most of the North Island, particularly the Bay of Plenty.
Rain is expected to reach peak intensities of 10-15mm per hour but could rise to 25-30mm/hr in possible thunderstorms early this morning.