A severe weather warning is in place for the Bay of Plenty. No Civil Defence emergency currently exists. The following media release from Bay of Plenty Emergency Management provides more information.

A severe weather warning remains in place for the Bay of Plenty; however, no activation of Local Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centres has been required so far.

“There’s been some isolated reports of surface flooding, mainly in Tauranga due to heavy overnight rain and some power outages in the Western Bay of Plenty due to strong winds and downed trees, however these are all being well responded to through normal operational processes,” said Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Clinton Naude.

“We’ll continue to monitor the situation over the next 24 hours. People should keep themselves informed by checking weather updates and as always ensure they are prepared by securing outdoor equipment and checking that their household emergency survival kit and emergency plan are ready to go,” he said.

“People should continue to contact their usual service provider such as their district or city council or electricity company if they need any assistance,” Mr Naude said.

Wind and rain has persisted over the western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, with western Bay of Plenty to Matatā receiving up to 115 mm of rain, Rotorua 60-80 mm and the eastern Bay west of Kawerau, including the Rangitaiki Catchment, 10-20 mm in the last 24 hours.

Overnight wind was stronger than forecast, and gusts up to 70 kph have been recorded at the Port of Tauranga. Power outages have been reported at Te Puke, Te Ranga, Te Puna, Ōmokoroa, Whakamarama, Waihi Beach and Katikati.

The New Zealand MetService issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Western Bay of Plenty including Rotorua and the eastern ranges at 9:08 am. It advised that periods of heavy rain are expected at times today and Thursday, with possible thundery downpours.

MetService predicts 100 to 200 mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges, especially those east of Ōpōtiki in the 39 hours from 9 am Wednesday to midnight Thursday, with 70 to 100 mm likely elsewhere. Peak intensities are predicted at mostly 10 to 20 mm per hour, but may rise to 20 to 30 mm/hr in possible thunderstorms.