Council continues to monitor weather situation

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 12:00 p.m.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council continues to monitor the weather situation in the Bay of Plenty with no reports of damage or serious flooding.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Duty Flood Manager Graeme O'Rourke said much of the rain had fallen in coastal areas.

"Major rivers have peaked or are expected to peak at reasonably low return periods with very little risk of stopbanks overtopping," Mr O'Rourke said.

The MetService has forecast that heavy rain should ease for a time this morning however, further bursts of heavy rain are possible through to midnight.

A further 50-60 mm of rainfall has been predicted by the MetService in the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges between, with 30-40mm near the Bay of Plenty coast.

The approximate rainfall accumulations for the 24 hour period as at 0900 hours are:

• Western Bay 60mm
• Rotorua Lakes 60mm
• Whakatāne 90-170mm
• Ōpōtiki 100mm
• East Cape 100-150mm

 

The Rotorua Lakes are at capacity levels. The Okere Gates have been fully opened to release this water meaning increasing flows down the Kaituna River.

On the Rangitāiki River, Trust Power is releasing 280m3/s through the Matahina Dam with approximately 140m3/s going down the spillway.

Mr O'Rourke also said it was very wet out on the Rangitaiki Plains.

"Some drainage schemes are close to their capacity but pump systems are coping well.

"Our field crews are busy with inspections and maintenance as required," Mr O'Rourke said.

"We're not expecting any risk of flooding in our major rivers but the situation will be monitored and updates provided if the situation changes."