Roger Moroney
Batten down the hatches.
Hawke's Bay looks set to join flood-ravaged Otago, Coromandel and the far north as the latest region to cop a wet and windy weather assault.
And, say forecasters, there's worse to come.
Heavy rain warnings have been issued and police are urging "extreme" caution on the roads and advising trampers to stay clear of the high country rivers.
Up to 100mm of rain is being forecast for coastal hills and high country north of Napier over the next 48 hours. Winds are also expected to rise.
As emergency crews clean up Otago's Taeri Plains after rising waters caused houses to be evacuated and roads to be closed, emergency road crews in Hawke's Bay are standing by for heavy weather heading our way.
"You are going to get some heavy rain tomorrow and on Sunday," MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said today.
"It's causing fireworks in the Bay of Plenty at the moment and you will be next to take the brunt."
Mr McDavitt said a low pressure zone had stalled in the Tasman Sea.
Two bursts of rain over the region last night, brought 12mm to Napier and 6mm to Hastings. Surface water was reported in several areas of Hawke's Bay.
Police were critical of motorists speeding through surface flooding on Kennedy Road.
In Hastings, firefighters mopped up at the New Zealand Post distribution centre in Avenue Road, where a downpipe gave way and the final CornEvil show at the Amazing Maze 'n Maize in Longlands Road, south of Hastings, has been postponed until Friday next week.
Council engineers were keeping a watching brief, as was Transit Hawke's Bay.
Contractors were still working at the scene of Friday's major slip on the Napier-Taupo Road and emergency road crews would be on standby.
Police and the AA warned motorists to take extreme care.
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