Heavy rain has flooded parts of the Bay of Plenty - including Rotorua, where a resident says the flooding is “scaring” her and the worst she has seen.
There are reports of streets in Tauranga also being flooded.
In Rotorua, Holdens Bay resident Joycelia Hyde told the Rotorua Daily Post that the end of Robinson Ave was flooded, and she warned people on Facebook to stay away.
“One hour ago, I could see my lawn, and now I can’t, it’s flooded.
“That’s scaring me. It’s over half of my plants, my whole back section’s flooded, it’s coming up to my back door step.“
Hyde said she had taken photos of past flooding, “but this is the worst”.
“I’ve never seen it like this, and we’ve only just got the heavy rain warning, and in one hour, it flooded the section. I’m honestly feeling quite anxious about it.”
She described it as: “The worst I’ve seen it (in) the six years I’ve lived here”.
Rotorua Lakes Council said it was monitoring conditions and on standby.
A severe thunderstorm warning had been been issued for the region, including Whakatāne, Western Bay of Plenty, Taupō and Rotorua, until 2.45pm
A heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua until midnight tonight.
At 3.22 pm, the MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from Pukehina to Rotoehu to Murupara.
This line of severe thunderstorms was moving towards the east-southeast, and was expected to lie from Pikowai to Kawerau to Murupara at 3.52 pm and from Matata to Matahina to Murupara at 4.22 pm.
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
The region is also under an orange heavy rain warning until midnight, with 50 to 80mm of rain expected and localised downpours possible.
The rain was expected to ease on Friday evening.
Streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions were possible, the weather agency said.
In Tauranga, motorists reported flooding across several city streets this afternoon.
A Bay of Plenty Times journalist said flooding was intense.
At the intersection of Welcome Bay Rd and James Cook Dr, there was heavy flooding, with water bursting out of the manholes and flowing to the harbour.
A SunLive reader said 11th Ave opposite Memorial Park was flooded heading towards Fraser St, creating dangerous driving conditions.
“There is also flooding as you drive through Burrows St onto 15th Ave, outside the businesses. There is flooding in both lanes. It’s very heavy out here,” the reader said.
Tauranga City Council drainage services manager Radleigh Cairns said a few areas of localised flooding had been reported across the city, with contractors responding.
“We encourage residents to take care around any flooding they encounter and to contact council if they have concerns, so we can respond promptly.”
Powerco is reporting 621 people lost power across the North Island this morning, mainly in the Matamata and Coromandel areas.
In the Coromandel Forest Park region, 288 people were affected, and in Matamata, 109 homes.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said people should ensure gutters and drains around properties were clear of autumn leaves and tree debris.
“Be sure to also tie down your trampolines or other heavy outdoor furniture as well.”
Most of the country was under a severe weather watch or warning this morning.
Slips and flooding are impacting major roads at the top of the South Island, with parts under a local state of emergency.
Auckland and Northland were both under severe thunderstorm watches.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Taupō between 9am and 5pm.
The weather is being driven by a low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea, expected to move east of New Zealand tomorrow.
Showers continue for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua tomorrow before becoming mostly fine on Sunday.