Bay of Plenty weather warning lifted

Bay of Plenty residents still recovering from last month's devastating floods were breathing a sigh of relief this morning after last night's severe weather warning was lifted today.

MetService spokesman Gerard Bellam said around 22mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am in Tauranga, and around 10mm in Whakatane -- a fraction of the 70mm predicted.

"We had taken a cautionary approach in light of last month's flooding, but thankfully it was not too bad," he said this morning.

While there were showers passing over the region this morning, forecasters did not anticipate any problems, he said.

Civil Defence spokesman Barry Low said temporary drainage was placed around 24 Tauranga properties that were still in a precarious position following the May flooding.

Tauranga City Council spokeswoman Elizabeth Hughes said the council had taken precautionary steps, but it had been at pains not to worry people unnecessarily.

"We did not want to panic residents, and we were pretty confident that this wouldn't be a big deal."

Following the May floods, 446 Tauranga people from 186 households are still out of their homes.

Whakatane District Council manager of emergency services Bill Wycherley said he had been advised of some surface flooding on the Matata-Edgecombe Rd -- but no other problems.

"The harbour master took out some pipework used to dredge the harbour, just in case, but there were no problems."

- NZPA