Heavy rain is expected to ease Monday evening. In the 24 hours from 9pm tonight (Sunday) until 9pm Monday, expect 120 to 140mm to accumulate
Earlier story: It's the calm before the storm for the Eastern Bay as the region prepares for what Cyclone Pam may have in store.
Track Cyclone Pam in real-time here
The category 4 cyclone is expected to track south-east of the North Island early tomorrow with a severe weather warning issued for the Bay of Plenty, especially east of Edgecumbe. MetService has forecast possible gales in excess of 160km/h and heavy rain of 120mm-140mm, with 180mm-20mm about the ranges.
Opotiki mayor John Forbes said they were doing everything they reasonably could to prepare for the predicted foul weather.
"We hope this thing moves out further to the east but you just don't know what will happen, so we are preparing for the worst case scenario," Mr Forbes said.
"We're doing everything we can do, we have been meeting with civil defence and have been in touch with our 14 coastal radio stations to make sure our communities are aware. We have been in contact with the old peoples homes and fortunately schools are not in at the moment, but overall we are pretty prepared," he said.
Whakatane mayor Tony Bonne said council contractors had been busy clearing drains and gutters.
"I think we're as organised as we can be. Just before the weekend we made sure gutters were cleared out and sprayed in areas where we've had problems. Our council staff have done as much as they can and we've asked residents to check their own drains in their street.
"Where we've had surface flooding before like in Douglas St and the Wainui Te Whare stream area, we've set a digger up in preparation," Mr Bonne said.
"This afternoon we will also be having a briefing of emergency services."
A contractor's yard is open where sand bags are available for purchase, with some businesses already stocking up for their shopfronts.
"Quite a few [bought them] ... the word is now that it will be more wind than rain but with any tropical cyclone things change by the hour so you have to be prepared."
Mr Bonne said there was no signs yet of the expected severe weather.
"It's just overcast, there's no real winds but its the lull period."
Firefighters and appliances are also moving into the vulnerable coastal areas as Cyclone Pam approaches.
Fire service deputy national commander Paul McGill said deploying resources now would provide extra support for local crews and allow personnel to get into position in areas likely to be cut off by flooding.
"Getting in early will enable us to respond more effectively when the cyclone hits," he said.
A Hamilton and Rotorua-based taskforce was moving into the Eastern Bay of Plenty region.
Mr McGill said the Fire Service had activated three of its regional and five of its local co-ordination centres to ensure crews and equipment were used to best effect.
He said firefighters would provide as much assistance as possible to local communities. This was likely to include helping people isolated by flooding and slips or stuck in vehicles, pumping out flooded buildings, salvage work and securing damaged buildings.
Regular updates will be provided on Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management's website www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz and on www.facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence.
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