New Zealand Transport Agency road engineers are keeping a close watch on potentially vulnerable stretches of the Hawke's Bay highways network as heavy rain continues to sweep the region.
While there had been no reports of major flooding or slips at this stage the watch was effectively on."Our contractors will be monitoring road and weather conditions so they can quickly respond to any weather-related road effects," regional performance manager Mark Owen said.
"As conditions can change rapidly, we advise people to check the latest weather and road updates before they get on the road."
He said drivers needed to watch their speeds and be especially cautious rounding corners.
A Hawke's Bay Police spokesperson said it appeared motorists were driving to the conditions and with plenty of rain forecast to come through until Wednesday afternoon hoped that would continue.
As far as weather-related road incidents she said "so far, incredibly, none."
The remnants of Cyclone Debbie is expected to see 82mm of rain fall across Napier over the next 24 hours, according to Metservice.
Hastings is expected to get 66mm.
Across the region 48mm had fallen in the Te Pohue region over the past 24 hours, 55mm in parts of the Kawekas, 54mm at Omakere and 36mm at Porangahau.
A heavy rain warning is now is currently in force for Taranaki, the Whanganui district, the Tararua Range, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.
MetService said a "significant"" amount of rain was expected to hit those regions and totals could exceed 200mm in some areas.