Motorists are being urged to drive cautiously this morning after heavy rain and strong winds ripped through the Bay of Plenty overnight.

A number of roads are closed in Tauranga due to weather related incidents.

NZME has had reports that Welcome Bay Rd is closed from Waitao Rd to Te Puke Highway following reports of a slip.

A Tauranga resident, who didn’t want to be named said all houses nearby have been evacuated.

“On SH2 from Sandhurst to Domain the road is impassable and people should avoid it.”

An NZTA alert said the road is closed.

Diversions are: Northbound: Exit the motorway on to Domain Rd, then turn left on to Papamoa Beach Rd, then continue straight on to Maranui St, then turn left on to Girven Rd, then rejoin SH2 at the Bayfair Roundabout. Southbound follow in reverse.

There are also reports that there is a large slip on SH2 near Apata.

NZTA reports that SH2 between Tanners Point and Katikati is closed due to “multiple areas of flooding”.

“Due to a slips, SH2 is closed between Esdale Rd and Wainui South Rd.”SH2 from Paeroa to Waihi is also closed due to flooding.

A number of power outages have also been reported around the city.

Power is reported to be out in parts of Welcome Bay, Bethlehem, Brookfield, Bellevue and Mount Maunganui.

Further afield, SH2 between Matawai and Whatatutu remains closed following flooding and rockfall late last night, NZTA said in a statement this morning.

Heavy rain battering Memorial Park in Tauranga. Photo / Cameron Avery

SH35 between Okitu and Pōtaka remains closed until crews have had a chance to assess the road at 7am.

People are asked to avoid the area.

“Heavy and persistent rainfall has made the ground surrounding the region’s state highways sodden. Please be alert to the possibility of further flooding, slips, debris in other parts of the state highway network,” NZTA said.

SH2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki remains closed.

Tolaga Bay and further north remains under a red heavy rain warning until 9am today; south of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay remain under an orange warning until 10am.

In Hawke’s Bay, the state highways remain open, however drivers in the region are urged to take care and be aware of the possibility of slips or debris.

“It’s really important people drive to the conditions, and adjust your speed; turn your headlights on and adjust your following distance when you need to.

“If you are traveling the network, please adhere to any temporary traffic management or speed restrictions that may be in place.”

Weather update

The red rain warning issued for the region yesterday has now been lifted, according to MetService’s website.

For today, MetService said heavy rain with possible downpours were expected to clear this morning with fine breaks developing.

Strong easterlies, changing lighter westerly in the morning.