Bay of Plenty Civil Defence keeps watch on the weather

Wednesday 11 June 2014, 1435hrs

A severe weather warning remains in place for the Bay of Plenty, however no activation of local Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centres has been required so far.

“There’s been some isolated reports of surface flooding, mainly in Tauranga due to heavy overnight rain and some power outages in the Western Bay of Plenty due to strong winds and downed trees, however these are all being well responded to through normal operational processes,” said Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Clinton Naude.

“We’ll continue to monitor the situation over the next 24 hours. People should keep themselves informed by checking weather updates and as always ensure they are prepared by securing outdoor equipment and checking that their household emergency survival kit and emergency plan are ready to go,” he said.

“People should continue to contact their usual service provider such as their district or city council or electricity company if they need any assistance,” Mr Naude said.

Wind and rain has persisted over the western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, with western Bay of Plenty to Matata receiving up to 115mm of rain, Rotorua 60-80mm and the eastern Bay west of Kawerau, including the Rangitaiki Catchment, 10-20mm in the last 24 hours.

Overnight wind was stronger than forecast and gusts up to 70kph have been recorded at the Port of Tauranga. Power outages have been reported at Te Puke, Te Ranga, Te Puna, Ōmokoroa, Whakamarama, Waihi Beach and Katikati.

The New Zealand Met Service issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Western Bay of Plenty including Rotorua and the eastern ranges at 09:08am this morning. It advised that periods of heavy rain are expected at times today and Thursday, with possible thundery downpours.

MetService predicts 100 to 200mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges, especially those east of Opotiki in the 39 hours from 9am Wednesday to midnight Thursday, with 70 to 100mm likely elsewhere. Peak intensities are predicted at mostly 10 to 20mm per hour, but may rise to 20 to 30mm/hr in possible thunderstorms.

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