Central Hawke's Bay cops a soaking as rain and wind warnings ease

A heavy rain watch for Hawke's Bay has been lifted. Photo / Warren Buckland

Heavy rain that caused flooding in parts of Central Hawke's Bay is believed to have passed, with MetService lifting all weather warnings and watches for the region by Tuesday afternoon.

A heavy rain watch was in force for Wairarapa including the Tararua District and Hawke's Bay south of Napier earlier in the day, with heavy rainfall expected between 9am and 4pm.

A heavy rain warning for Hawke's Bay north of Napier and snow warning for SH5 Napier-Taupō Rd had already been lifted by MetService.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane

said there had been considerable rain leading into the night with some areas recording more than 50 millimetres.

Central Hawke's Bay District Council was contacted about flooding in areas such as Pōrangahau Rd, near Wanstead, about 16 kilometres of Waipukurau. Photo / Warren Buckland

Since Monday afternoon, sites in Takapau recorded about 41mm, she said.

Other areas like Mahia and Wairoa recorded only about 16mm, while Napier had only 5mm.

Data from Hawke's Bay Regional Council recorded the highest reading at Tukipo River near SH50, with 54mm, which was followed closely by 52mm at Mangaorapa near Pōrangahau.

Central Hawke's Bay District Council posted on Facebook about surface flooding impacting Pōrangahau, Fairfield, Wilder and Wimbledon Rds.

Mackies Slab was clear while Hiranui Rd is closed, with signage in place at the Pōrangahau Te Awa Rds intersection.

The rain was brought about by a slow-moving trough over the lower North Island.

Data from Hawke's Bay Regional Council recorded the highest reading at Tukipo River near SH50, with 54mm. Photo / Warren Buckland

Makgabutlane said there was still some rain to be expected across the breadth of Hawke's Bay.

"There's a bit more rain expected going forward."

She said it would start to fine up on Wednesday though, with some brief showers around the mountain areas.

Makgabutlane said these were unlikely to reach watch or warning criteria though there could still be strong winds in exposed and coastal areas.

MetService also reported a chance of gale force winds hitting Hawke's Bay on Wednesday, though there was "low confidence" that westerly gales could become severe over Central Hawke's Bay and the Tararua Districts during Wednesday and overnight into Thursday.