The MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay, as people are advised to stay under cover.
MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Otane, Pakipaki, Pa tangata, Te Hauke and Poukawa.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast, and are expected to lie near Hastings, Havelock North, Pakipaki, Elsthorpe and Poukawa at 01:37 pm and near Hastings, Cape Kidnappers, Waimarama, Havelock North, Haumoana, Pakipaki and Ocean Beach at 02:07 pm.
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
Met Service warned that very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.