Heavy rain expected across region overnight

Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff are warning people that heavy rainfall is expected in the region and all farmers should move stock to high ground.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Flood Duty Manager Colin Meadowcroft said a lot of rain was expected to fall overnight, becoming heavy from 9pm tonight and continuing through to Tuesday.

“The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for areas of the North Island, including the Bay of Plenty,” Mr Meadowcroft said.

The MetService predicts that in the 15 hours starting about 9pm today 100mm to 150mm of rain is expected about the ranges, with 70mm to 100mm elsewhere. Heaviest falls are expected early Tuesday morning when rates could reach 25mm to 40mm per hour, especially about the ranges.

“Rainfall intensities of 25mm to 40mm per hour could lead to localised surface flooding and slips.”

“All farmers should move stock to high ground and if people don’t need to travel they should stay at home.”

“The region’s pump stations have been checked and we have staff in the field on standby,” Mr Meadowcroft said.

The MetService was advising that the rain combined with strong onshore winds could add to the very high tides, putting some low lying coastal areas under threat of flooding.

Considering the amount of heavy rain which could result from this event, people were advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.

Ends

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

For live monitoring and regional rainfall data go to http://www.boprc.govt.nz/MonitoredSites/cgi-bin/hydwebserver.cgi/districts/details?district=3