A heavy rain watch remains in place for Taranaki north of Eltham, with the threat of heavy rain creating further problems for already sodden areas.
Some New Plymouth roads are closed and people are being warned not to swim or eat kai from waterways after widespread flooding and sewerage overflows in the district.
There are now public warnings in place for the region's beaches from Ngāmotu through to Bell Block after sewage overflows.
The cloudburst also saw central Te Awamutu under water with shopkeepers faced with ruined stock as floodwaters poured into stores lining the main street.
The Te Awamutu Library shut its doors to the public yesterday after floodwaters washed through the single storey building.
MetService said New Plymouth and Whanganui airports saw more rain in a single 18-hour period than they did in all of last November.
The New Plymouth District Council reported over 100mm of rain fell at the Brooklands Zoo in 12 hours.
The council said the city's aging water network was in stemmed from the sustained cloudburst that saw 80mm of rain fell in five hours overwhelming the city's ageing water network.
The council said crews on the ground were now focusing on cleaning up rain-related debris and drainage issues.
