Thunderstorm warning removed

UPDATE: A second thunderstorm warning for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga is now lifted.

The MetService issued the warning at 10am after its weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Motiti Island and offshore Mount Maunganui at 9.45am.


Flooding in Papamoa following thunderstorms this morning.

An initial warning was earlier issued for the same areas about 8am, but lifted it at 9.30am.

The severe thunderstorms were moving towards the south-southeast, expect to pass Te Puke, Pukehina and Paengaroa after 10.45am.

The thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.

Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management advises that as storms approach residents should:


- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.

Earlier this morning: Thundery downpours and strong winds are causing flooding and power outages across the region this morning as the second day of wild weather continues.

Flooding:

A day and night of heavy rain is causing flooding in areas of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa,

There are reports of heavy flooding on the corner of Maunganui Road and Tui Street, and along sections of Oceanbeach Road and Papamoa Beach Road.

There is also flooding on Dickson Road and Carysfort Street, areas of Omanu, Gravatt Road, Crisp Road, Ulster Street, Pacific View Road, Commons Ave, Hartford Ave, and Campbell Road.

Police are warning drivers to take extra care on the roads.

Sergeant Nigel Ramsden says due to the weather conditions police advise that the public take extra care on the roads.

"The risk of surface flooding is high on roads and highways with poor visibility making driving treacherous."

Power outages:

Powerco is reporting power is currently out in areas of Maketu and Paengoroa.

Road closures:

State Highway 36 – the Tauranga Direct Road to Rotorua – is closed and will most likely remain so for most of the day.

Tauranga Police say roading contractors are working to clear the road and ensure road safety.

The closure is due to a slip (pictured here) south of Te Matai Road. Traffic travelling to Rotorua can do so via Te Puke.


Photo by Steve Murray.

Traffic can divert at Ngongotaha to SH5 and across the Kaimai Range or travel through Rotorua CBD to SH33 towards Te Puke.

State Highway 36 – the Tauranga Direct Road to Rotorua – is expected to be closed overnight due to a slip south of Te Matai Road. Traffic travelling to Rotorua can do so via Te Puke. - See more at: http://sunlive.co.nz/news/69760-road-closures-across-region.html#sthash.11qI4nAb.dpuf

Bay of Plenty Police report a slip is blocking the northbound lane of State Highway 2 from Tauranga to Papamoa, south of Welcome Bay Road to Bell Road. The slip occured about 8.30am.

State Highway 25 from Tairua to Whangamata is now open.The road was closed due to flooding at Hikuai at 11.45am yesterday and was reopening at 10.43pm last night.

A tree has fallen and is partially blocking one of the lanes on State Highway 2, near Te Matai Rd in Te Puke. Emergency services are working to remove the debris now.

What's the weather like where you are? Is there flooding or damage? Call us on 0800 SUNLIVE or send photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz

View the photos being sent in here







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1 comment

Thunder

Posted on 18-04-2014 11:56 | By alc74

sounds like thunderstorms to me


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