Surface flooding is causing problems on road around the district - with police warning of "significant" surface flooding on several highways near Rotorua.

In particular drivers are being warned to avoid the following areas if possible:

- State Highway 5, near Earthquake Flats, south of Rotorua
- State Highway 30, between Rotorua and Whakatane
- State Highway 1, North of Tokoroa

Bay of Plenty district Police are asking drivers to drive with caution as there is a number of roads in the district with surface flooding.

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Metservice has issued a weather warning for the area which is experiencing significant amounts of rain.

Drivers are asked to be extra vigilant and drive to the conditions.

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Police have asked motorists to watch following distances, have headlights on and keep speeds down

Metservice meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said the area had seen "a fair bit of rain".

He said the heaviest falls in Rotorua were in the hour to 6am, when 11.2mm of rain fell.
"That is the criteria for heavy rain."

Mr Doolin said in the 24 hours since 61.6mm of rain had been recorded at the Rotorua Airport weather station.