Hawke’s Bay’s rain warning over, but more showers on region’s radar

Persistent rainfall has left much of Hawke’s Bay sodden, and there is more on the way.

While a MetService heavy rain warning that was in place for the Ruahine Range and “the inland ranges” of Hawke’s Bay was taken off on Monday night, more rain was forecast for much of the week, albeit lighter rainfall.

There was potential for streams and rivers to rise quickly during the warning period, and surface flooding and slips were also possible.

No highways were closed as of Tuesday due to the rain.

Thursday is the only day this week to have a day without rain, with fine conditions on the radar across the Bay.

“Widespread rain continues to fall in the eastern areas of the North Island, while the majority of the South Island remains relatively settled until a frontal system arrives on Thursday,” a MetService statement read.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group said on social media the heavy rainfall - during the warning period to start the week - would likely be around one-in-five-year levels, and that its widespread nature could see a “small to moderate” rise in river levels.

“A concern will be erosion of riverbanks and bridge abutments from a constant minor flow for many hours,” the post read.

Meanwhile, wet weather put a damper on the start of the summer of cricket in Hawke’s Bay.

Surface water on Fitzroy Avenue in Hastings on Monday. Photo / Warren Buckland

There was an early end for the first match of the season at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday during a four-day men’s Plunket Shield match between reigning champions and home team Central Districts and Canterbury.

Having dismissed Canterbury for 225 and 320 and scoring 177 in their own first innings, the Central Stags were 256-8 and needed 113 to win with two wickets, with Hawke’s Bay Black Caps Doug Bracewell and Blair Tickner at the crease, when rain set in with two afternoon sessions to play on the last day.

There was no further play.

The Hawke’s Bay men’s team’s first home match of the season, a week after reclaiming national inter-provincial challenge trophy the Hawke Cup in Rangiora, lasted just 43 overs and barely two hours of what was to be a two-day game were played on Saturday and Sunday.

Batting first in the Central Districts Furlong Cup match against Taranaki at Nelson Park, Napier, Hawke’s Bay was 155-4 when rain started on Saturday, with no further play possible.

A Mike Shrimpton Trophy women’s match between Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū which was to have been played on Sunday at Cornwall Park, Hastings was abandoned without a ball being bowled.