Residents in Ōmokoroa, Western Bay of Plenty, have been evacuated after a landslide overnight.

Peter White, who lives in Ōmokoroa, was in Harbour View Rd first thing this morning and was told the house at number 17 was “so lucky it did not go”.

White said it was probably saved by flood water deviating around the side of the house rather than through it.

Slip debris on Harbour View Rd in Ōmokoroa. Photo / Peter White

A Bay of Plenty Times reporter who was at the scene this morning said emergency services evacuated four people at 4.30am.

“An elderly couple were evacuated from the home where the slip came down next door and two other neighbours were evacuated too.”

The reporter, who was speaking with other neighbours at the scene, said no one was trapped and the landslide was still coming down.

“The ground is unstable and people should avoid the scene.”

Harbour View Rd in Ōmokoroa, Western Bay of Plenty, was closed following a slip. Photo / Sandra Conchie

In Welcome Bay, two people are missing after a slip took out a house overnight.

Police said they were notified 4.15am that a slip had extensively damaged a house on Welcome Bay Rd.

“One person is reported to have suffered serious injuries and two people remain unaccounted for. A number of houses in the area are being evacuated.”

Meanwhile, SH2 from Katikati to Tauranga was likely to be closed for two days after a large slip.

“Due to a slip, SH2 Whakamarama is closed between Esdaile Rd and Wainui South Rd,” NZTA said in a statement.

A large slip has come down on SH2, near Whakamarama. Photo / NZTA

“As the ground is still very wet, we anticipate this section of SH2 will be closed for two days.

“A detour is available for light vehicles only: Northbound: Turn left on to Esdaile Rd, then turn right onto Wainui South Rd, then turn left on to SH2. Southbound, follow in reverse.”

Bay of Plenty roads affected by heavy overnight rain

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 North Tauranga – Te Mania Bridge and Uretara to Tanners Point Rd – open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit.

SH2 Katikati to Tauranga – Open for light vehicles only with detour on Wainui south/Esdaile Rd.

SH2 Katikati to Waihī – Closed between Old Tauranga Rd and Athenree Rd, no available detour until Steele Rd flooding recedes.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Matatā straights (west of Matatā) – is now cleared and reopened.

SH2 south of Matatā – closed due to flooding and debris.

SH2 Pukehina –caution advised, likely to flood around 10am high tide. Possibility of a road closure.

SH2 and SH30 Awakeri – roads open.

SH2 Waimana Gorge – road open, small debris on sides of road.

SH35 – closure at Ōpōtiki (residents/emergency services only) until Tairawhiti CDEM advise road may be reopened.

Tauranga

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link – all lanes closed between Sandhurst Interchange and Domain Rd Interchange due to surface flooding.

“Driving through flood water can be extremely dangerous. Just 15cm of water can sweep a person off their feet, and 30cm can carry away most vehicles,” NZTA said in a statement.

“Motorists should be aware of branches and other debris they may not be able to see under the surface of flood waters.

“People are asked to be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through work sites.”