People are being warned to stay off the roads tonight, with predictions of more heavy rain to fall between now and 1am.

If the predicted heavy rain arrives, there will be widespread surface flooding creating significant hazards.

· If you have to drive, do so with extreme caution and drive to the conditions, warns the Whakatane District Council.

· People are being warned to reduce water usage as much as possible in Whakatane, Ohope and Edgecumbe. Rainwater infiltration into the wastewater system is causing overflows, so do not use showers, baths and washing machines, if at all possible, and flush toilets as little as possible.

· "Anyone living close to the base of the escarpments in Whakatane, Ohope and Matata is advised to be alert to the increased risk of landslides. Do not use rooms closest to the escarpment until 48 hours after the rain has cleared and self-evacuate if concerned.

· "River levels are not expected to peak until 3pm on Thursday. Road closures applying now due to high river levels will probably continue until late Thursday."

· Check the Council and NZTA websites for up-to-date road closure information.

· "In the morning, check on any elderly neighbours and make sure they are ok."

· In the event of an emergency situation, call the Council on 306 0500, or ring the emergency services.

Four main highways remain closed in the Bay of Plenty, according to the NZTA.

A slips has closed SH38 at Murupara, SH2 and SH30 from Rotorua to is closed due to flooding, SH2 at Awakeri is closed for bridge repairs and flooding has closed SH34 from Edgecumbe to Te Teko.

A quick rundown from Tauranga City Council.

Road closures

• • Grenada Street is still closed and will remain closed overnight. Detours are in place. Please respect the road closure and do not endanger others by moving cones.

Water on properties

• • Total of 18 calls between 3pm Tuesday – 9:30am Wednesday morning. Council received 24 further rain related service requests today. They were for a mixture of surface flooding, blocked sumps, sandbag requests and ponding on private property.

• • Overall still a minor event for the city with most stormwater systems coping. Two properties where water has entered garages (Ngatai Road and Papamoa Beach Road). One property at Papamoa Beach Road where a private drain issue has caused water to enter a bathroom.

• • We are not aware of any house evacuations in the Tauranga City area.

Water processing plants

• • Both water treatment plants are operating. They were taken offline this morning due to turbidity (too many small particles of sediment in the water supply streams).

Wastewater treatment plants

• • Chapel Street wastewater treatment plant is working overtime to cope with large amounts of inflow coming into the plant. Treated water was discharged into the harbour twice overnight and is likely to be discharged again. This is always a last resort but within resource consent conditions. Health warning signs installed as a precaution.

• • The wastewater system in general is running at capacity with a lot of excess water getting into the network. A sewer manhole at 3^rd Avenue has been coned off for safety in case it overflows overnight.

Mauao

• • The base track is closed until further notice. Will reviewed tomorrow.

Tauranga City Council staff and contractors will maintain a watch on the severe weather until it passes. The Western Emergency Operations Centre and the Regional Emergency Coordination Centre are providing support.