Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management says people should stay away from central New Plymouth because of sewage contamination following heavy rain.
Centre City closed at 1pm and other businesses are advised to do the same.
The sewerage system has been overwhelmed by stormwater and the NPDC has shut down many sewage pumping stations in Waitara, Bell Block and New Plymouth. As a result, raw sewage is being discharged to the sea from the Eliot St outfall in New Plymouth CBD and from the Waitara outfall, and is also being discharged to the Mangati Stream at Bell Block.
In Stratford, part of Miranda St has been closed due to flooding. Drivers are advised to obey the rules and take an alternative route to their destination.
There are also power outages and sewage pumping stations closed in South Taranaki.
People are advised to stay away from beaches, rivers and streams for the next three days.