Heavy rain causes surface flooding

Motorists are being warned to take care as heavy rain causes widespread surface flooding on roads in the Western Bay of Plenty area.

Surface flooding has created potholes along State Highway Two between Bruce Road and Domain Road in Papamoa and motorists are being urged to take extreme caution in this area.

Ponding in paddocks along Welcome Bay Road are threatening to spill over Waitao Road if rain continues. Photo by Caroline Parkes.

New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman Janette Williams says no roads are closed but there is extensive flooding around the Karangahake Gorge and the agency is considering closing the gorge.

An announcement is expected soon.

There is surface ponding in some areas, including along Papamoa Beach Road, but Tauranga City cCouncil spokeswoman Elizabeth Hughes says the storm-water system is coping well.

She encourages motorists to take extra care and says there could be some problems if the rain continues to fall heavily for long.

Welcome Bay resident Caroline Parkes is among residents keeping a close eye on the rain – and expects ponding in paddocks along Welcome Bay Road to cover adjacent Waitao Road soon if the rain continues.

In Tauriko, Lesley Lowe is among many Redwood Lane residents concerned the area could soon be hit with its fourth incident of flooding in 18 months – with a drain into the Wairoa River expected to divert water into the street if the river keeps rising.

The MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula through until Tuesday.

The warning predicts 80mm-120mm of rain over the Western Bay of Plenty’s hill country in the 15 hours until midnight tonight, while coastal areas expect 50-80mm.

People in these areas are advised to watch out for surface flooding, slips and rapidly rising streams and rivers.

Rain is easing in the Coromandel Peninsula, but heavy bursts are expected to late afternoon with another 40-60mm expected to fall.

Keep checking SunLive for updates.