The BOP Civil Defence Emergency Management Group's emergency status has been updated.
MetService have updated the Severe Weather Warning for the Bay of Plenty.
Severe gale southwesterlies, with gusts of 120km/h in exposed places, especially about and just east of the Coromandel and Kaimi Ranges are expected to ease around midnight tonight (Thursday).
Earlier:
The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has raised its emergency status to severe wind warning.