Wet weather has drenched the Tauranga region, with the heaviest falls expected to come this afternoon.
Police have warned Bay of Plenty motorists to take extra care on the roads today with a severe weather warning in place for heavy rain and gales.
Heavy rain has fallen for most of the day so far, joined by strong and gusty northerlies.
An average of about 7mm of rain is believed to have already fallen in the region since 8am.
Metservice forecaster warn another 7mm is expected to fall between 2pm and 4pm today.