Clean-up continues in Rotorua after deluge

Melanie Lovegrove at her Hannahs Bay property. Photo/Georgina Harris

A large clean-up job in Rotorua continues, with crews dealing with slips and debris on roads and state highways.

Crews have opened Parsons and Puaiti Rds, with a final clear-up of leftover debris to take place tomorrow.

Several local roads remain closed with crews returning tomorrow to continue work. Known issues have been marked with signs to alert drivers.

Drivers are still advised to travel with extreme care and avoid any unnecessary trips.

State Highway 30 between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoma and State Highway 2 Waioeka Gorge are expected to open to one lane this evening.

The main closures are on State Highway 30 between State Highway 33 Tikitere and State Highway 34.

The road was unlikely to be reopened today.

Lake Rotorua level increase graph.

Down at the Lakefront it was almost back to business as usual with tourists taking selfies and enjoying picnics beside Lake Rotorua - after it spilled over the edges yesterday.

Water still lapped the cobbled walkways, some of which were damaged, and the fencing and cones put up by the council for safety purposes.

Tessa Bos, from Volcanic Air, said the weather had caused one of the company's pontoons to lift from its foundations.

Employees had to jump in the water to fix it and were still fixing it today.

She said strong winds this morning had meant normal flights to White Island had only resumed this afternoon.

A Rotorua Lakes Council communications spokeswoman said the council would not be able to answer questions about the extent of damage across the district, cost or timeframes for repair.

"That is not something we can ascertain the day after it's all happened. Today we are still focused on dealing with immediate needs such as clearing slips."

On its website, the council said the Wastewater Treatment Plant overflow into the Puarenga Stream stopped on Wednesday night and the plant was now operating within capacity.

Department of Conservation community Supervisor Caraline Abbott said the Tarawera Trail has been closed after reports of several slips along the track.

"DOC is investigating the reports and has closed the track as a precaution."

Road closures
- Bay of Plenty area State Highway 34 closed with major slips and flooding affecting access. State Highway 30 between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoma and State Highway 2 Waioeka Gorge expected to open to one lane this evening.
- Area warnings have also been issued for State Highways 29, 35 and 38.
- Waikite Valley Rd - large slip about 1km from State Highway 5 (Waikite Tavern).
- Hamurana Rd - two large slips.
- Lake Okataina Rd - large slip across road at Lake end of road.
- Okareka Loop Rd - large tree and slip across road below the quarry, new large slip.
- Loop Rd - flooding.
- Longview Rd - flooding.
- Manawahe Rd - large slip across road, approximately 3km past Rotoma School.