KEY POINTS:
Businesses and homes are flooded and a young girl was feared drowned after heavy downpours deluged Rotorua this afternoon.
The MetService is now urging Rotorua residents to be prepared for more heavy rain, and warning that the whole Bay of Plenty could be affected.
Firefighters began a frantic search for the girl, who was reported to have been swept away by a swollen river, about 4.15pm.
She was found just after 5pm.
"She's OK," Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said. "She's wet obviously, but she's OK."
Mr Phillips said the girl, whose age was unknown, was reported missing on Edmund Rd, Pukehangi.
"She did manage to get out of the swollen river."
The river's name was also unclear, although the nearest waterway to Edmund Rd is Mangakakahi Stream.
The Fire Service began receiving calls of flooding following a sharp downpour about 3.30pm.
By 5pm, more than a dozen reports of water in homes and businesses had been received.
Mr Phillips said between six and 10 houses in Homedale St, also in Pukehangi, were flooded when the river burst its banks.
There were no reports of injuries but firefighters were helping residents in the area.
"We've just been going door to door checking if anyone needs any assistance."
Other flooded streets in the area included Totaravale Street, Tallyho Street and Old Taupo Road.
Waist-deep water had flooded commercial properties in the central business district, with businesses on Amohau and Eruera Streets among those hit.
"We've been helping occupants of those shops move stock and save stock," Mr Phillips said.
He said Rotorua's entire fire crew had been mobilised, including all off-duty firefighters.
Rotorua has four fire crews, each with eight staff, and an additional two crews from Ngongotaha were assisting.
Mr Phillips said the intense downpour had hit without warning. "We weren't notified of it. We didn't receive any severe weather warnings."
Floodwaters reached waist deep around Rotorua today as rain lashed parts of the Bay of Plenty.
