Stranded travellers sheltered in an Eastern Bay of Plenty marae after floodwaters inundated the region, cutting off access.
The main routes between Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki – Wainui Rd and State Highway 2 Waimana Gorge – were closed yesterday after 24 hours of rain.
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said both roads had now reopened, under stop/go traffic management.
More than 70 people sheltered at Kutarere Marae last night.
Kutarere resident Curley Keno said this wasn’t their “first rodeo” – it was the third time in the past 18 months the marae had hosted stranded travellers because of flooding.
“The flood just happened so suddenly. It was quite unexpected, because it was high tide and the water had nowhere to go.”
Keno contacted Ōpōtiki District Council, reporting they were “seriously flooded” and vehicles were “piling into the village”.
The community quickly organised resources offering a place to sleep, food, toilets and showers, she said.
Locals also brought blankets as it was “bloody cold”.
Keno said it “wasn’t easy” because they weren’t expecting that many people in such a short period. Kutarere Marae and the village itself were flooded with silt “right on the doorsteps”.
There were 17 truck-and-trailer units and 44 cars parked up in the village.
Keno said most of the stranded were travelling from the East Coast toward Auckland, Hamilton, the South Island and other parts of the country.
She said one woman missed her flight to Gisborne and needed to be in Auckland for surgery by midday today.
Whakatāne District Council said Wainui Rd and SH2 were still in a “nasty state” and extreme caution was required.
Wainui Rd is down to one lane at the S bends but finally passable, the council said.
“Please be patient, and be kind to our crews who have pulled out all the stops to reopen this road.”
NZTA said earlier crews had begun clearing flood debris and culverts to ensure roads could be safely reopened.
“When travelling through, people are urged to slow down, increase following distances and drive to the conditions.
“Please adhere to any temporary speed limits on the network and drive with care.”
SH2 at Matekerepu corner, SH2 at Waiotahe bluff and Awahou Rd had reopened. Reid and Rewatu Rds were closed.
Footage taken by Bay of Plenty Helicopters showed the extent of the flooding yesterday after 24 hours of heavy rain.
Roads and properties can be seen completely submerged, with vehicles attempting to negotiate the floodwaters.
Several vehicles had to be pulled from floodwaters. One person was rescued from the top of their vehicle after attempting to travel through floodwaters on SH2 near Waiotahe Valley Rd.
Police said a member of the public helped the person to safety before police arrived.
“Thankfully, the person did not require medical attention; however, incidents like this are a reminder to the public to take caution around flooded areas,” Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said.
Whakatāne District Council activated its Emergency Operations Centre yesterday.
A video sent to the Rotorua Daily Post showed a vehicle being pulled out of floodwaters on Reid Rd near Ruatoki, and Tāneatua School had closed because of the flooding.
Slips also closed two major routes into Rotorua for a time.