Bay of Plenty weather: Karangahake Gorge blocked, fresh warnings for Coromandel, BoP regions

Slips and strong winds are causing chaos throughout the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel after new heavy rain warnings were issued for the regions this morning.

Both lanes of State Highway 2 Karangahake Gorge are expected to be blocked for at least three hours between Albert St and Bush St after a slip came down.

Police were called to the large slip around 12.45pm and clean-up crews are on their way, a spokesman said.

Traffic management was in place but there are no details on the latest detours at this stage.

Waka Kotahi advised motorists to consider delaying their journey or taking an alternative route.

Elsewhere, strongs winds brought down a power pole narrowly missing a motorcyclist in Tauranga around 10.20am, according to a police spokeswoman.

A large tree fell on SH2 at Bethlehem, between Te Paeroa Rd and Wairoa Pa Rd. The northbound lane was temporarily blocked while the tree was cleared.

Powerco said in a statement extra crews were on the ground ready to make repairs and restore power to customers in the region.

Powerco asked for customers to secure anything that could blow into lines such as trampolines, outdoor furniture and other loose items, such as sheets of iron.

Orange weather warnings

An orange heavy rain warning is in place for Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau, including Rotorua, until 2am Tuesday and for the Coromandel until 6pm today.

A further 70-100mm of rain was expected on top of what has already fallen about the ranges, with lesser amounts elsewhere, MetService said.

Peak rainfall could reach 25mm/h and cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, surface flooding, slips and hazardous driving conditions.

MetService has also issued heavy rain watches for the eastern Bay of Plenty from 1pm today to 9am Wednesday and Tongariro National Park from 2pm today to 2am Tuesday.

Latest road information

Wentworth Valley Rd near Whangamata, Victoria St in Thames, Wires Rd in Hikutaia and Waiomu Valley Rd in Waiomu are closed at their fords due to high water levels.

Waka Kotahi says the southbound lane of SH25 just north of the Ruamahanga boat ramp on the Thames Coast is blocked. Expect delays and drive with caution.

Carey Rd, Port Charles, is closed due to a void that has formed in the road over a culvert about 900m from the start of the road. The estimated reopening is late this afternoon.

Te Kouma Rd is closed following a slip that has come down blocking the road just past Puriri Rd. Estimated reopening is noon today.

Thames Coromandel Council said people travelling should add extra time to their journey and prepare for delays.

“Our roading crews are clearing debris and fallen trees as quickly as possible. The Monday commute could also be disrupted as spring tides at 3.30am and 4pm will put pressure on saturated catchments,” the council said.

“We are odds on for a significant weather event this week so the key messages are stay connected and well informed, and above all don’t take risks,” Civil Defence controller Garry Towler said.

Slip blocking Te Kouma Rd in the Coromandel this morning. Photo / Ann Leef

Weather edging down the country

The wet and wild active front has been edging its way down the upper North Island and brought heavy downpours on Northland on Sunday.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Rotorua Lakes Council have posted reminders about the weather warnings on their social media channels, encouraging residents to stay informed of the developing situation.

MetService has rain forecast for Tauranga and Rotorua for every day this week until Saturday.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) says the low will cause an “atmospheric river” that will stick around for the week, “waxing and waning in intensity as it funnels moisture” from the tropics to New Zealand.

Niwa also says its modelling shows North Island rivers will “respond rapidly” in the heavy rain as the subtropical storm moves across the country.