Wild weather has closed roads and caused slips across the region.
MetService updated its heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne at 11am.
It warned streams and rivers could rise rapidly and surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions were possible.
There was a moderate chance of the orange-level warning being upgraded to a more serious red warning, and it was for the period ending 1am.
MetService reported as at 3pm today, 66.2mm had fallen in Tauranga. The heaviest downpour was recorded between 7am and 8am, when 17.8mm of rain had fallen.
In Rotorua, 43.5mm total rain was recorded as at 3pm. The heaviest rainfall today was recorded between 8am and 9am, when 7.4mm had fallen.
A geotechnical assessment of slips around State Highway 2 Wairoa Bridge was underway today.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said in a Facebook post this afternoon the bridge near Bethlehem was open, despite reports of it closing.
“We’re aware of reports suggesting the Wairoa Bridge is closed or closing at 3pm.
“As at 2.45pm, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi – Waikato & Bay of Plenty has confirmed that no bridge closure is planned at this stage.”
Tauranga City Council said the bridge remained open to vehicles, but the cycle lane was closed.
The council said State Highway 29A between Barkes Corner and Ōropi Rd was closed earlier and traffic was heavily congested in Tauranga South and Pyes Pā.
“If you must drive today, take extra care. Roadside embankments are especially susceptible to slips and landslides,” the council said.
It warned that high tide in the afternoon may have an impact on streams, creeks and other bodies of water.
NZ Transport Agency warned of a shoulder closure on SH2 between Wairoa Bridge and Clarke Rd and of surface flooding on SH2 between Bethlehem and Waihī overbridge (Takitimu Drive).
Motorists were also advised to avoid the bottom end of Cheyne Rd, near Oropi Rd, due to significant flooding.
The road was closed and community patrols were rerouting people, a reporter at the scene said.
A slip was reported to have hit a building in Minden.
A reporter on Crawford Rd said police had cordoned off the road.
“There is major flooding on Crawford Rd and Wairoa Rd.
“A slip has gone into a building, a shed by the looks of it. The area and roads are at high risk of further slips.”
The slip was reported at 8am, between Vernon Rd and Junction Rd, police said.
“No injuries have been reported and no evacuations are needed.”
A car crashed into a barrier on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road after hitting water and losing control, police said.
Police were called to the crash about 7.10am. No injuries were reported.
A resident in Welcome Bay told the Bay of Plenty Times there was flooding on Welcome Bay Rd at the James Cook Drive intersection.
They said the eastbound lane was “entirely covered” with water.
Another motorist told SunLive there was flooding on Ohauiti Rd, near the garden centre.
There had also been a report of flooding on Windsor Rd, near Sherwood St.
Tauranga City Council said Maleme St in Greerton was closed by flooding.
“We have contractors on-site assessing the situation, and we urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.”
A SunLive reader said the Maleme St flooding was “high enough that small cars can’t really drive through it safely anymore”.
There was also flooding on Burrows St.
A reporter at the scene said she was told the flooding was caused by blocked drains.
“A white BMW attempted to drive through the water and suffered engine failure. Water levels are now starting to lower.”
A worker in Tauriko said he was notified of a slip near the SH29 highway.
“Businesses on Whakakake St have been recommended to evacuate. We have been told we might have to, but are waiting for Geotech expert advice,” said the man, who works on a neighbouring street.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it was alerted to the landslide behind a building on Whakakake St about 9.40am.
“The building was evacuated and Fire and Emergency had left the incident at 10.37am.”
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council said Community Emergency Hubs were open in Waihī Beach and Ōmokoroa for anyone who needed to evacuate or felt unsafe due to the ongoing severe weather.
A Te Puna resident reported a slip on Plummers Point Rd.
She said a slip had come down on top of a boat, which had been pulled ashore a couple of days ago.
Several residents in Te Puke reported “significant flooding” at Donovan Park near Raymond Ave.
One resident said the creek was now a “flowing river”.
Te Puke resident Peter Willis told the Bay of Plenty Times there was “major flooding” between Raymond Ave and Muir Place.
“Water is just pouring down from the top of the sub bridge and meeting with the river, it’s causing this major flooding.”
He said neighbours were packing bags ready to evacuate, and that his paddocks were also flooded.
The Kaituna and Paraiti Rivers reached first warning levels, according to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
A spokesperson said the council’s Flood Room was on active watch.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s raceday at Tauranga Racecourse has been cancelled.
“With over 200mm of rain and more forecast, the track and key areas around the venue have been impacted – including water over the track, flooded tie-up stalls, and damaged walkways,” a post from Racing Tauranga said.
“The decision has been made in conjunction with NZTR and RIB, with safety for horses, riders, and staff our top priority.”
Earlier
A slip is reported to have hit a building in the Western Bay of Plenty.
A reporter on Crawford Rd in Minden said police are cordoning off the road.
“There is major flooding on Crawford Rd and Wairoa Rd.
“A slip has gone into a building, a shed by the looks of it. The area and roads are at high risk of further slips.”
MetService said Tauranga recorded more than 107mm of rain in the past 24 hours, and Rotorua 40mm.
Other areas in the region to have recorded high rainfall included Te Puke with 110mm.
More rain is expected today, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.
An orange rain warning remains in place for the region as emergency services deal with weather-related callouts.
There have been reports of surface flooding on streets, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand said there were eight weather-related call-outs in the Bay of Plenty last night and this morning.
MetService issued the thunderstorm warning this morning, saying its weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms covering the area between Matakana Island, Tauranga and Te Puke.
That was lifted about 8.15am.
MetService has now issued a fresh warning from now until midday.
“An active front is bringing periods of heavy rain and a few thunderstorms to the Bay of Plenty today.
“There is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40mm/h from this morning through to early this evening. Note, downpours may occur with or without thunderstorms.”
Meteorologist John Law said the forecast heading into the weekend was an “improving story”.
“The rain is still with us, and we’re still going to find that moving eastwards, so it’s taking its time to clear away.
“It is slowly going to be heading out towards the eastern side of the country, but I think we’re going to find this another fairly wet-looking day.“
He said a heavy rain warning was still in place for the Bay of Plenty until 1am on Saturday, particularly for areas west of Whakatāne.
“With this amount of rainfall, we can find areas of flooding and dangerous driving conditions, so just take extra care on those roads.”
MetService said in an update at 7.50am today that the region could expect 70mm to 100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen.
There was a high chance of the rain warning being upgraded from orange to red.
Police have blocked off SH29a, between Barkes Corner and Ōropi roundabout.
A reporter said there was water over the road.
“Police are blocking the road.”
A car crashed into a barrier on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road after hitting water and losing control, police say.
Police were called to the crash about 7.10am. No injuries were reported.
A spokesman said there might be delays.
A resident in Welcome Bay told the Bay of Plenty Times there was flooding on Welcome Bay Rd at the intersection of James Cook Drive.
They said the eastbound lane was “entirely covered” with water.
Another motorist told SunLive there was flooding on Ohauiti Rd, near the garden centre.
There has also been a report of flooding on Windsor Rd, near Sherwood St.
A SunLive reader said Maleme St was flooded, “high enough that small cars can’t really drive through it safely anymore”.
“It’s pretty dangerous in the dark, so I thought people should know before they get to work.”
Tauranga City Council said Maleme St in Greerton was closed by flooding.
“We have contractors on site assessing the situation, and we urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.”
There was also flooding on Burrows St, but it had not been closed.
“Please do not drive through obvious flood waters,” the council said.
Firefighters are working to clear drains on Burrows St to help alleviate flooding in the area.
A reporter at the scene said she was told that the flooding was caused by blocked drains.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand is redirecting traffic while working to clear the drains.
“A white BMW attempted to drive through the water and suffered engine failure. Water levels are now starting to lower.”
Several residents in Te Puke have reported “significant flooding” at Donovan Park near Raymond Ave.
One resident said the creek was now a “flowing river”.
Te Puke resident Peter Willis told the Bay of Plenty Times there was “major flooding” between Raymond Ave and Muir Place.
“Water is just pouring down from the top of the sub bridge and meeting with the river, it’s causing this major flooding.”
He said neighbours were packing bags ready to evacuate, and that his paddocks were also flooded
Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Paul Radden said there were eight weather-related callouts in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua overnight and this morning.
“Callouts were all for trees down, and that’s since 1700 last night.”
Radden said he expected “a few” callouts this morning as people woke up and headed out for the day.
“But all the reports indicate that the weather’s easing.”