Several roads in the Whakatane district are either closed or subject to restricted access, as a result of the bad weather.

SH30 is closed west of the intersection with SH34 (Kawerau turn-off) due to slips.

Flooding has seen the closure of SH2, between Taneatua and Opotiki, while a slip has forced the closure of SH30, near Tikitere.

SH34, from Edgecumbe to Te Teko, is also closed due to flooding.

Other road closures around the district include:

• Mimiha Road
• Jolly Road
• Omeheu Road
• Te Whaiti Road
• Fermah Road
• Manawahe Road
• Stanley Road
• McCoy Road
• SH2 is being closed at Matekerepu and the SH traffic will be diverted through Wainui Road and Whakatāne;
• SH34 is closed in the vicinity of Hallett Rd;
• Waikaremoana Rd is also closed at multiple sites on the Wairoa side and the road closed signs have been activated on our side at London's Garage, Murupara.
• Access is expected to be restored in most cases by early this afternoon, but in the meantime, the public is advised to avoid these roads and exercise extreme caution on all roads due to the likelihood of further slips.

Surface flooding has affected a number of urban areas. The council reports stormwater systems have coped reasonably well, but wastewater pumping stations in a number of areas have been overloaded due to stormwater infiltration.

This has caused overflows in some areas and residents of Whakatane and Edgecumbe are therefore advised to treat all surface water as potentially contaminated.

Staff are working on the various issues affecting wastewater pumping capacity throughout the district.

Severe weather warnings remain in force through until early Thursday, with a further 80-150mm of rain possible, on top of the accumulated rainfall thus far (up to 200mm, depending on location).

Local Civil Defence advises all residents to stay off the roads through until 6am Thursday, unless travel is absolutely necessary.

"Also note that our roading resources are stretched and we are not able to put out warning signage for every slip, fallen tree or flooded area," says a statement from the council.

"The public is therefore advised to avoid all unessential travel, and if people are on the road, to drive cautiously and to the conditions - expect the unexpected around every corner."