UPDATE:
Utuhina Stream has burst its banks and is endangering multiple properties.
A Pukehangi Rd resident said he had checked the stream about 11am but thought it was "nothing serious".
"But by 4.30pm I couldn't believe it - the stream was up to my gate."
EARLIER:
Rotorua locals are being urged to stay indoors as the city's contractors deal with multiple land slips blocking roads, surface flooding and downed trees.
Land slips have been reported on Relph Rd, Paradise Valley Rd, Dansey Rd, Dalbeth Rd, Bryce Rd and State Highway 30.
Diversions have been put in place on some of these roads with others only partially blocked.
A police media spokeswoman said Relph Rd had been "completely blocked" by a slip and a lane had been blocked opposite the TWS Paradise Valley Raceway, between Te Miri Rd and Pukehangi Rd.
Edmund Rd has been completely flooded and there is surface flooding on Clayton Rd, Hinemoa St, Scott Avenue, Tawavale St and Galvin Rd.
Several families are stranded on Paradise Valley Rd in Ngongotaha with a culvert being washed away.
Fire communications confirmed the culvert was washed out near 400 Paradise Valley Rd, an access way to at least two homes.
A teenager working in town is also unable to get home because of the damage.
A car crashed into a ditch on Paradise Valley Rd between Endean Rd and State Highway 5, but there were no reported injuries.
A car on Bryce Rd was fully submerged by water but has now been cleared.
Relph Rd resident Merv Heard said as the rain came down his street became a "torrent of water".
"Once it cleared we were able to go out and survey the damage. We've had slips on our road before but this one is pretty bad - I'd say it's the worst we've had.
"There's nine or 10 properties up our road and there's no getting in or out at the moment, not by a normal vehicle. We've got a bike and a 4WD might make it."
Mr Heard said the culvert at the end of their street had been completely submerged at one point."
More to come.
EARLIER:
Land slips on Relph Rd and Paradise Valley Rd have blocked lanes, with diversions being put in place and vehicles being turned away.
A police media spokeswoman said Relph Rd had been "completely blocked" by a slip and a lane had been blocked opposite the TWS Paradise Valley Raceway, between Te Miri Rd and Pukehangi Rd.
The spokeswoman said police were at the scene and the Rotorua Lakes Council had been informed and were organising the diversion.
Meanwhile a car crashed into a ditch on Paradise Valley Rd between Endean Rd and State Highway 5, but there were no reported injuries.
More to come.
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.