Flooding, slips close Bay of Plenty roads

One of the many flooded paddocks around the Bay of Plenty. Photo / NZPA

Swollen Bay of Plenty rivers could burst their banks tonight as the rain-battered region braces for more surface flooding.

Central North Island residents are being warned to stay indoors and avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.

Metservice spokesman Gerard Bell said 60 millimetres of rain had already fallen in low-lying areas of the Bay of Plenty, and the worst was still to come.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council duty flood manager Roger Waugh said while the rain had eased this afternoon, heavier downpours were expected from midnight tonight.

Between 150mm to 200mm was expected in the eastern ranges by early tomorrow, with up to 125mm predicted in low-lying areas.

A flood warning for the Otara River was stepped up to its second level this afternoon, with the council saying there was a risk of floodwaters spilling over low-level rural stop banks.

First level flood warnings for the Waioeka, Mangorewa, Waioeka and Waimana rivers were expected to be stepped up later.

Mr Waugh said farmers with stock in low-lying areas behind low-level stop banks should move their stock to higher ground.

The council was monitoring pumps and responding to calls as needed, while Civil Defence was on standby.

The eastern Bay of Plenty town of Opotiki was largely cut off today after surface flooding forced the closure of State Highway 2 and Wainui Rd between Opotiki and Whakatane, while a washout closed SH35 northeast of the town.

A number of smaller rural roads in the region were also closed by flooding and slips.

Boats moored in the Whakatane River have been moved and rafted up on the banks after the river received 131mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

TrustPower was spilling water from the Matahina Dam, on the Rangitaiki River, after between 60mm to 100mm of rain fell in its catchment area.

And in Rotorua, more than 24 hours of rain has left gardens and sports fields sodden.

Metservice forecaster Gerard Barrow said heavy rain was expected in the Bay of Plenty, northern Gisborne and Taupo until late tomorrow morning, with the heaviest falls in the eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.

A heavy rain warning for Northland and Coromandel Peninsula had been lifted.

The New Zealand Transport Authority today advised motorists in the Central Plateau and Alpine Passes to watch for ice and grit, especially in shaded areas.

In Auckland, boaties are being warned to watch out for debris floating in the water around Auckland.

The Coastguard says it fished out a telegraph pole from the Tamaki Estuary this afternoon.

The wild weather this morning forced TV3's political show The Nation off the air, after flooding was found to have caused water damage at the broadcaster's Auckland studios.

The programme would now be broadcast live at 8am tomorrow.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB