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Other areas in the region that recorded particularly high amounts of rain included Te Puke with 110mm.<\/p>\n
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More rain is expected today, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.<\/p>\n
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An orange rain warning remains in place for the region as emergency services deal with weather-related callouts.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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That was lifted around 8.15am.<\/p>\n
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The weather organisation has now issued a fresh warning from now until 7pm.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAn active front is bringing periods of heavy rain and a few thunderstorms to the Bay of Plenty today.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Firefighters are on Burrows Rd working to clear drains as the street in flooded. Photo \/ Zoe Blake<\/p>\n
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Meteorologist John Law said the forecast in the Bay of Plenty today and heading into the weekend was an \u201cimproving story\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe rain is still with us and we\u2019re still going to find that moving eastwards, so it\u2019s taking its time to clear away.\u201c<\/p>\n
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Law said the region still had \u201ca while\u201d until the rain cleared away.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is slowly going to be heading out towards the eastern side of the country, but I think we\u2019re going to find this another fairly wet-looking day.\u201c<\/p>\n
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He said a heavy rain warning was still in place for the Bay of Plenty until 1am on Saturday, particularly for areas west of Whakat\u0101ne.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWith this amount of rainfall, we can find areas of flooding and dangerous driving conditions, so just take extra care on those roads.\u201d<\/p>\n
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An orange heavy rain warning remains in place for Bay of Plenty west of Whakat\u0101ne until 1am on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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There is a high chance of upgrading to a red warning.<\/p>\n
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\nImpact on roads
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Police have blocked off SH29a, between Barkes Corner and Oropi roundabout.<\/p>\n
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A reporter said there is so much water over the road.<\/p>\n
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\u201cPolice are blocking the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Police have blocked SH29A (heading east) at Barkes Corner. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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A car crashed into a barrier on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road after hitting water and losing control, police say.<\/p>\n
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Police were called to the crash about 7.10am and there were no injuries reported.<\/p>\n
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A spokesman said there may be delays.<\/p>\n
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A resident in Welcome Bay told the\u00a0Bay of Plenty Times\u00a0there was flooding on Welcome Bay Rd at the intersection of James Cook Drive.<\/p>\n
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They said the eastbound lane was \u201centirely covered\u201d with water.<\/p>\n
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Another motorist told SunLive there was flooding on Ohauiti Rd, near the garden centre.<\/p>\n
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Flooding in Ila Park, Ohauiti, at 8am. Photo \/ Jessica Potts<\/p>\n
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There has also been a report of flooding on Windsor Rd, near Sherwood St.<\/p>\n
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A SunLive reader said Maleme St was flooded, \u201chigh enough that small cars can\u2019t really drive through it safely anymore\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s pretty dangerous in the dark, so I thought people should know before they get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Flooding has also been reported on Burrows Rd.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/270326supmalemestreet01.jpg\")
Maleme St, Greerton, is flooded. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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Tauranga City Council said flooding on Maleme St in Greerton is hampering traffic.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe have contractors on site assessing the situation and we urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.<\/p>\n
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A Tauranga City Council statement said Maleme St is flooded and closed, and contractors were on-site.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Burrows St has also experienced flooding, but was not closed.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease do not drive through obvious flood waters.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Firefighters are working to clear drains on Burrows Rd to help alleviate flooding in the area.<\/p>\n
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A reporter at the scene said she was told that the flooding was caused by blocked drains on Burrows Ave.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFire and Emergency New Zealand is redirecting traffic while working to clear the drains.<\/p>\n
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\u201cA white BMW attempted to drive through the water and suffered engine failure. Water levels are now starting to lower.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Several resident in Te Puke have reported \u201csignificant flooding\u201d at Donovan Park near Raymond Ave.<\/p>\n
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One resident said the creek was now a \u201cflowing river\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\nOvernight call-outs
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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.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCallouts were all for trees down, and that\u2019s since 1700 last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Radden said he expected \u201ca few\u201d callouts this morning as people woke up and headed out for the day.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cBut all the reports indicate that the weather\u2019s easing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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