Bay of Plenty on flood alert as storm nears

Flooding in the Bay of Plenty earlier this year. Photo / Alan Gibson.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence officials are on flood alert, urging people to be prepared for heavy rain during the weekend, especially tomorrow.

Emergency Operations Centre staff will be on standby in case the heavy rainfall causes flooding or other weather-related problems that need a coordinated response from emergency services.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Civil Defence controller Diane Turner said that the weather forecast for the weekend predicted heavy rainfall starting overnight, and continuing for most of the weekend.

"A severe weather warning issued by the MetService says an active front is expected to bring a period of heavy rain and strong gale northerlies to western and northern regions, including the Bay of Plenty, and northern Gisborne," she said.

"People are urged to watch out for rapidly rising rivers and streams, slips and surface flooding."

Ms Turner said the MetService had warned the rain could be a significant event for several regions. People, especially travellers, were advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

The Bay of Plenty was hit by severe floods in June after torrential rain which was described at the time as a "water bomb".

More than 160 homes in the eastern Bay of Plenty were flooded and emergency services were inundated with calls for assistance.

Ms Turner said the message to residents was to be prepared.

"The Civil Defence emergency information 'Get Ready Get Through' on the back inside cover of the phone book is a good source of information and information was also available on the council's website," she said.

- NZPA