Regional Council responding to flooding issues

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Rivers and Drainage staff are responding to flooding issues throughout the region, following a night of heavy rain.

Community Relations Manager Bronwyn Campbell said that although rain had cleared and MetService had lifted a heavy rain warning for the region, staff were continuing to respond to calls.

“Very heavy rain occurred from Te Puke east from 5am this morning, with some sites receiving 50mm per hour,” Ms Campbell said.

Much of the region has had flooding from overtopping drains, streams and canals and surface flooding from the intense falls, and the Regional Council’s flood room is operational.

Kaituna River is flowing at about a 10 year event at present but showing signs of peaking. The Mangorewa River (a major tributary to the Kaituna River) peaked at 8.5m earlier this morning.

Tarawera River is peaking at present at a level of 2.45m, approximately a 10 year event.

The Whakatāne River continues to rise, with modelling predicting a peak flow of 2000 – 2200 cumecs at 10pm tonight, a flow very similar to last Monday’s peak.

Waioeka River is also rising with a predicted peak at 11am this morning of 1100 cumecs, somewhere between a 10 and 20 year event.

Rainfall totals for the 24hrs to 9am this morning from selected sites are:

·         Waimana at Ranger Station  148mm

·         Tarawera at Awakaponga 150mm

·         Kaituna at Te Matai 162mm

·         Tumerau Lagoon  281mm (to be confirmed)

·         Rotorua City 139mm

The District Health Board has warned that people should also avoid swimming and recreational contact in all rivers, streams and harbours for 48 hours as farm runoff may have contaminated them with effluent. There have been a number of sewage overflows reported into Tauranga Harbour so people are advised to avoid contact with the water until further notice.

The Whakatane River Bar is currently unworkable. Boaties should listen to their local radio station for updates on the situation.

For latest updates on the weather event across the region, please visit the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website www.boprc.govt.nz or Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/boprc

For live monitoring and regional rainfall data go to www.boprc.govt.nz and click on the Live Monitoring Link.

For further information on weather predictions please go to www.metservice.co.nz

For roading information please visit http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html

For further media information please contact Bronwyn Campbell, Community Relations Manager on 021 287 9380.

Whakatāne Road Closure information