Tauranga traffic had to negotiate flooded streets yesterday. Photo / Andrew Warner
More than 60mm of rain fell over just 24 hours yesterday, causing havoc in the Bay with roads cut by flooding and numerous traffic accidents keeping emergency services busy.
Police are warning motorists to drive to the conditions after emergency crews were called to several minor car crashes, including a
nose-to-tail crash involving four vehicles on State Highway 2 at Papamoa.
The crash came just hours after a collision involving two vehicles in Welcome Bay, while two more cars collided at 9.25am at the intersection of 6th Ave and Cameron Rd.
Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said no one was seriously injured in yesterday's crashes but it was a reminder to drive to the conditions. He urged motorists to delay or postpone long trips if bad weather hit. "If people do have to travel, I would urge them to take extra care," Mr Campion said. "Leave sufficient time for travelling so you are not forced to rush ... and drive to the conditions, which means, in weather like this, slowing down substantially."
Waihi Beach residents yesterday took to Facebook to complain about the flooding in town.
