A rain shower over Hastings, seen from Te Mata Peak. Photo / File
Flooding in Central Hawke's Bay has forced the closure of Hiranui Rd near Waipukurau.
And more heavy rain is forecast for Hawke's Bay on Thursday evening after a drenching overnight on Wednesday.
After an unusually dry May-June, Napier recorded 26.4mm from 6pm on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday, and Hastings recorded 30.4mm.
Waipukurau was hit even harder with 49.6mm.
MetService meteorologist Andy Best said people would need to get in safe for dinner, with heavy showers expected from 6pm that will peak at 8pm.
Napier was set to receive another 30-40mm downpour, with 20-30mm for Hastings, and the same for Waipukurau.
Best said the Hawke's Bay ranges in particular received a dousing over the past 24 hours.
Hawke's Bay was under a "heavy rain watch" until later tonight, Best said.
Napier City and Hastings District councils said they had no weather related call-outs on Wednesday night.
Best said the rain should ease into Friday and would clear for the weekend.
Some locals took advantage of the wet weather.
A video was posted to Facebook showing people using a flooded lot on Tannery Rd in Napier to go water skiing behind a car.
The new free open-air saltwater pool is already proving popular.