Other areas in the region that recorded particularly high amounts of rain included Te Puke with 110mm.
More rain is expected today, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.
An orange rain warning remains in place for the region as emergency services deal with weather-related callouts.
There have been reports of surface flooding on streets across the sub-region, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand said there were eight weather-related call-outs in the Bay of Plenty last night and this morning.
MetService issued the thunderstorm warning this morning, saying its weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms covering the area between Matakana Island, Tauranga and Te Puke.
That was lifted around 8.15am.
The weather organisation has now issued a fresh warning from now until 7pm.
“An active front is bringing periods of heavy rain and a few thunderstorms to the Bay of Plenty today.
“There is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h there from this morning through to early this evening. Note, downpours may occur with or without thunderstorms.”
Firefighters are on Burrows Rd working to clear drains as the street in flooded. Photo / Zoe Blake
Meteorologist John Law said the forecast in the Bay of Plenty today and heading into the weekend was an “improving story”.
“The rain is still with us and we’re still going to find that moving eastwards, so it’s taking its time to clear away.“
Law said the region still had “a while” until the rain cleared away.
“It is slowly going to be heading out towards the eastern side of the country, but I think we’re going to find this another fairly wet-looking day.“
He said a heavy rain warning was still in place for the Bay of Plenty until 1am on Saturday, particularly for areas west of Whakatāne.
“With this amount of rainfall, we can find areas of flooding and dangerous driving conditions, so just take extra care on those roads.”
An orange heavy rain warning remains in place for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne until 1am on Saturday.
MetService said in an update at 7.50am today that the region could expect 70mm to 100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates 25mm/h to 40mm/h were possible this morning and afternoon.
There is a high chance of upgrading to a red warning.
Impact on roads
Police have blocked off SH29a, between Barkes Corner and Oropi roundabout.
A reporter said there is so much water over the road.
“Police are blocking the road.”
Police have blocked SH29A (heading east) at Barkes Corner. Photo / Supplied
A car crashed into a barrier on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road after hitting water and losing control, police say.
Police were called to the crash about 7.10am and there were no injuries reported.
A spokesman said there may be delays.
A resident in Welcome Bay told the Bay of Plenty Times there was flooding on Welcome Bay Rd at the intersection of James Cook Drive.
They said the eastbound lane was “entirely covered” with water.
Another motorist told SunLive there was flooding on Ohauiti Rd, near the garden centre.
Flooding in Ila Park, Ohauiti, at 8am. Photo / Jessica Potts
There has also been a report of flooding on Windsor Rd, near Sherwood St.
A SunLive reader said Maleme St was flooded, “high enough that small cars can’t really drive through it safely anymore”.
“It’s pretty dangerous in the dark, so I thought people should know before they get to work.”
Flooding has also been reported on Burrows Rd.
Maleme St, Greerton, is flooded. Photo / Supplied
Tauranga City Council said flooding on Maleme St in Greerton is hampering traffic.
“We have contractors on site assessing the situation and we urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.
A Tauranga City Council statement said Maleme St is flooded and closed, and contractors were on-site.
Burrows St has also experienced flooding, but was not closed.
“Please do not drive through obvious flood waters.”
Firefighters are working to clear drains on Burrows Rd to help alleviate flooding in the area.
A reporter at the scene said she was told that the flooding was caused by blocked drains on Burrows Ave.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand is redirecting traffic while working to clear the drains.
“A white BMW attempted to drive through the water and suffered engine failure. Water levels are now starting to lower.”
Several resident in Te Puke have reported “significant flooding” at Donovan Park near Raymond Ave.
One resident said the creek was now a “flowing river”.
Overnight call-outs
Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Paul Radden said there were eight weather-related callouts in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua overnight and this morning.
“Callouts were all for trees down, and that’s since 1700 last night.”
Radden said he expected “a few” callouts this morning as people woke up and headed out for the day.
“But all the reports indicate that the weather’s easing.”