Bay of Plenty civil defence emergency workers are on standby after heavy rain pelted the region overnight.
The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for most of the North Island, including the Bay of Plenty.
Rain had increased in intensity overnight as a low pressure system moved across the upper North Island, said Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokeswoman Bronwyn Campbell.
The council's emergency management flood room would be activated at 9am today and manned 24/7, she said.
Rivers in the region were expected to keep rising today, she said.
The MetService had increased its forecast to as much as 450mm of rain, she said.
``Rain will cause rivers and stream to rise quickly, with slips and localised flooding possible, and driving conditions could be dangerous,'' she said.
She advised people to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.
High sea levels produced by strong north to northeast onshore winds accompanying the rain could restrict rivers flowing into the sea in eastern areas from Auckland to the Bay of Plenty, she said.
``All farmers should move stock to high ground, and if people don't need to travel they should stay at home. Campers in the region should pack up and head home.''
The MetService has said the heavy rain was expected to be significant for most regions from Northland down to Waitomo and the central North Island high country, and across the Bay of Plenty to Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.
The heaviest rain was expected to be in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, the central high country and the ranges of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
Heavy Rain Hits North Island
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