Motorists travelling in the Bay of Plenty are being asked to drive with caution as surface flooding and debris remain on the roads.

State Highway 2, Waimana Gorge, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is closed due to a large slip blocking the road.

State Highway 2, between Taneatua and Waimana, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is closed. Image: Google Earth.

Motorists are being detoured through Whakatane.

State Highway 2, Waioeka Gorge, is also closed due to a slip.

River levels are still rising in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Regional Council's duty flood manager, Ken Tarborton says there has been some wild weather and a lot of rain which resulted in surface flooding and some road closures.
Rainfall to date:

• western Bay of Plenty: 70mm to 120mm
• Rotorua/Kaituna: 150mm to 210mm
• Rangitāiki: 150mm to 250mm
• eastern Bay of Plenty 170mm to 300mm

Ken says rivers in the Eastern Bay had risen overnight and would continue to do this for some time today given the heavy rainfall in the ranges.

Rivers as at 7am today:

• Kaituna @ Te Matai peaked at 1am – falling slowly.
• Rangitāiki @ Rabbit Bridge still rising
• Rangitāiki @ Te Teko close to peaking at 3am just below 2^nd alert level
• Whakatāne @ Wharf peaked with high tide at 1am below the level of the stoplogs which were inserted as a precautionary measure.
• Whakatāne close to peaking around 3am at Rūātoki and Valley.
• Waimana @ Gorge – continues to rise at Gorge and Ranger Station approx. 250mm/hr.
• Waioeka @cableway – continues to rise approx. 150mm/hr
• Nukuhoe @ Glenhlome continues to rise approx. 150 mm/hr

Ken says some roads are closed due to flooding and people should check for the latest information before travelling.

Some of the current closures are:

• State Highway 2 at Waimana flooded and closed at Wardlaw Glade.
• Valley Road between Whakatāne and Tāneatua flooded during night but was open to vehicles travelling with caution.
• Wainui Road is still flooded at Glenholme Road. Also closed off between Cheddar Valley and Stanley Road.
• Kopuriki Road is still flooded at Rabbit Bridge.
• Possible surface flooding on Kaituna Right Bank at Te Matai.

He says staff are continuing to work throughout the day to monitor the situation and undertake any emergency works that might be required.

Keep checking SunLive for further updates.