Weather updates
UPDATE 2.00pm, 12 May 2023
Road Closures:
- Lichenstein Rd – Resident access only to the unsealed section due to significant scouring. Crew will be onsite on Monday to begin repairs.
Roads Re-Opened:
- Maniatutu Rd – All slips cleared and road re-opened. “Slippery Surface” signage left on site as there is some slip material stuck to the road surface.
Work completed today;
- Kaharoa Rd – Continued clean-up of slips and other repairs on road surface and shoulder. Some areas will have a gravel surface over the weekend with traffic management in place.
- Tumninui Rd, Maniatutu Rd & Penny Rd – Completing slip removal.
- Hamurana Rd – Removal of various small slips that in shoulder.
- Various – Continued general sweeping and pothole repairs.
- Te Waerenga Rd – Reduced road width with bollards and installed semi-permanent 'priority Give Way' traffic management which will remain in place until a repair for the underslips can be confirmed.
Tentitive plan for next week;
Next week will see a mix of storm repairs and other maintenance activities as follows:
- Fairview Rd – Footpath and kerb replacement works
- Te Waerenga Rd – Minor slip clean up
- Roy Rd and Stewart Rd – Scour repairs
- Okere Rd – Removal of heavy debris on the road
- Unsealed road grading – Ngakuru area
- Vaughan Rd – Make safe footpath damage
- Te Ari Ahi Cycleway – Minor slip clean up
- Rural vegetation mowing.
UPDATE 3.15pm, 11 May 2023
Road closures:
- Maniatutu Rd – Closed between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd (Pugh Rd is in the Western Bay district) due to a large slip and tree blocking both lanes. The road will remain closed again overnight tonight.
- Lichenstein Rd – Resident access only to the unsealed section due to significant scouring.
Work completed today;
- Tarawera Rd (Green Lake area) – Work to clear debris/sediment of the road surface will be completed today.
- Kaharoa Rd – Contractors made a start and will be back on site tomorrow to continue with repairs. Todays work included slip clearing, unblocking several culverts and made some of the road damage safe for traffic. Temporary traffic control still in place.
- Te Kopia Rd – The scours in the unsealed section have been repaired. Contractors are now clearing one of two slips on Tuminui Rd.
- Northern Area – Contractors carried out road sweeping and pothole repairs on various roads as required, as well as some general cyclic work in the southern part of the district.
- Maniatutu Rd – Work continued today clearing of the large slip blocking the road between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd. The road remains closed overnight with work likely completed tomorrow, see above.
- Utuhina, Linton Park & Ngongotahā cycleways – All footbridges have been inspected and debris/trees have been cleared. Signage/fencing has been put up on a section of Linton Park cycleway that has been undermined.
Plan for tomorrow;
- Kaharoa Rd – Continue clean up slips and other repairs on road surface and shoulder.
- Tumninui Rd – completing the removal of last slip. Then heading to;
- Maniatutu Rd – remove a slip which is blocking one lane not far from State Highway 33.
- Penny Rd – remove small slip
- Maniatutu Rd – continue with removal of large slip and two adjacent small slips.
- Hamurana Rd – complete the removal of various small slips that are in the shoulder.
- Various – continue with general sweeping and pothole repairs.
UPDATE 10:30am, 11 May 2023
There was a treefall last night on Whirinaki Valley Rd which crews attended and cleared.
Road closures:
- Maniatutu Rd – Closed between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd (Pugh Rd is in the Western Bay district) due to a large slip and tree blocking both lanes. Crew on site today to start clearing.
- Lichenstein Rd – Resident access only to the unsealed section due to significant scouring.
Today crews plan to attend the following jobs:
- Tarawera Rd (Green Lake area) – Clear debris/sediment off the road surface.
- Kaharoa Rd – Clean up slip and repair scouring on road surface and shoulder.
- Te Kopia Rd – Repair scouring on the unsealed section.
- Northern Area – General cyclic sweeping and pothole repairs on various roads as required.
- Maniatutu Rd – Clearing of the large slip blocking the road between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd.
- Utuhina, Linton Park & Ngongotaha cycleways – Inspection of footbridges and clearing of debris/trees on the cycleways.
UPDATE 4.30PM, 10 May 2023
Road Re-Opened:
- Hamurana Rd – Now open to traffic. Still has some minor slips to be cleared, this will be done next week.
Further jobs identified today:
- Stewart Rd – Minor scouring along the full length.
- Roy Rd – Scouring, rutting and some blocked culverts.
- Tuminui Rd – 2 small slips.
- Brett Rd – Debris on the road.
- Te Kopia Rd – Scouring on the unsealed section.
- Puaiti Rd - Debris on the road.
- Southern area – No other damage found today other than Tuminui, Brett, Puaiti and Te Kopia listed above.
Contractors have completed a full check of the network today and the plan for tomorrow is as follows;
- Tarawera Rd (Green Lake area) – Clear debris/sediment off the road surface.
- Kaharoa Rd – Clean up slip and repair scouring on road surface and shoulder.
- Te Kopia Rd – Repair scouring on the unsealed section.
- Northern Area – General cyclic sweeping and pothole repairs on various roads as required.
- Maniatutu Rd – Clearing of the large slip blocking the road between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd.
- Utuhina, Linton Park and Ngongotaha cycleways – Inspection of footbridges and clearing of debris/trees on the cycleways.
UPDATE 12noon, 10 May 2023
Council's contractors have provided the following update from their inspection crews about work underway and work to be completed around the district.
Road Closures:
- Hamurana Rd – Closed from Mourea to Unsworth Rd. Debris now cleared, crew clearing a large slip which is blocking one lane. Likely to be opened this afternoon, with further clearing of minor slips to take place over the next few days.
- Maniatutu Rd – Closed between Rotoehu Rd and Pugh Rd (Pugh Rd is in the Western Bay district) due to a large slip and tree blocking both lanes. Establishing larger gear on site today. Road will remain closed overnight until the large tree can safely be removed in the morning.
- Lichenstein Rd – Resident access only to the unsealed section due to significant scouring.
Other jobs identified and underway:
- Turner Rd – Debris and scouring along the road edge
- Hamurana Rd – Multiple small slips in the cuttings between Unsworth Rd and Te Waerenga Rd
- Unsworth Rd – Debris on the road from driveways being washed out
- Sunnex Rd – Minor scouring
- Dalbeth Rd - Debris on the road from driveways being washed out
- Penny Rd - Minor scouring and small slip
- Maniatutu Rd – Slip covering one lane, this is in addition to the above large slip
- Lewis St – Stormwater grate blocked. Crew has cleared.
- Te Waerenga Rd – Large underslip on the hill section, shoulder closed
- Tarawera Rd – Silt and debris on the road
- Spencer Rd – Debris on the road from driveways being washed out
- Kaharoa Rd – Scouring and slips
- Kaska Rd – Debris on the road
- Fryer Rd – Debris on the road
- Braymore Rd – Minor scoring in the shoulder and debris on the road as a result
UPDATE 11am, 10 May 2023
11am update from Waka Kotahi
- SH2 is CLOSED at Maniatutu (between the Tauranga Eastern Link and Pikowai Beach due to flooding at the Kaikokopu Stream Bridge. A short detour is in place via Paengaroa, allow extra time.
- SH36 remains closed between Jackson Rd and Central Rd in Hamurana due to flooding.
- SH2 remains closed to northbound traffic between Barrett Rd and Youngson Rd in Whakamara due to a fallen tree. Allow extra time for a short, local road detour. SH2 remains open southbound.
A number of other issues are affecting state highways across the region however these roads remain open currently. Please drive with extra care today.
Details of other issues can be found on Waka Kotahi's Journeys Highway Map.
UPDATE 10am, 10 May 2023
Wastewater updates
Due to the heavy rain and the very high water levels of the lakes and ground water table, stormwater caused excessively high inflows to the Rotorua wastewater system which was unable to cope at several points last night.
Council and its contractors worked throughout the night to minimise the impact of this and reported to BOPRC, mana whenua and other stakeholders about what was happening.
Issues included:
- Wastewater overflowing into a stormwater drain leading to Sulphur Bay for several hours in the early evening.
- Fully treated effluent overflowed from the holding ponds at the Rotorua WWTP to the Puarenga Stream for a period in the late evening.
- Network overflows due to stormwater occurred at Depot St, Lake Rd (Railway Rd roundabout), and Victoria St.
- A wastewater pump station at Tikitere became blocked with rags. This combined with high flows caused an overflow to land. The blockage has since been fixed.
Overflow sites have either been cleaned or are in the process of being cleaned.
48 hour no swim rule of thumb after heavy rain
It’s best to avoid swimming in rivers, streams, and lakes for at least 48 hours after heavy rain as there is likely to be contamination from rural and urban run-off in waterways. To avoid illnesses such as diarrhoea, vomiting, skin infections or ear infections, follow the rule of thumb of no swimming for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
UPDATE 9.30am, 10 May 2023
Road closure: Maniatutu Rd is closed approximately 9.5km from the SH33 intersection due to a large slip that is blocking both lanes.
UPDATE 8:45am, 10 May 2023
Council's contractors have crews out today inspecting our networks to determine what damage was caused by the heavy rain last night and what needs clearing and repairing over the next few days.
Areas currently being inspected:
- Hamurana Rd – Crew clearing large rocks and logs to get the road open
- Lakes area – Inspections underway
- Okareka/Tarawera/Spencer Rd area – Inspections underway
- Northern area – Inspections underway
- Urban area – Cyclic crew completing inspections and pothole repairs
- Ngakuru area – Inspections underway
- Rerewhakaaitu area – Inspections underway
- Reporoa area – Inspections underway
Road closures:
- Hamurana Rd – Closed from Mourea to Unsworth Rd due to debris on the road
Road re-opened:
- Edmund Rd – Reopened late last night after flood waters receded
Motorists are again reminded to take care when traveling as it is likely there will be a lot of debris on the roads following last night’s heavy rain which will take a few days to be cleared.
UPDATE 9pm, 9 May 2023
From Waka Kotahi - Impacted highways as of 9pm:
- SH30 East – CAUTION multiple slips along the highway between Tiketere and Rotoma. Stop/Go temporary traffic management with 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place at these slip areas overnight.
- SH2 – CLOSED but expect to be open later this evening. A large tree is blocking the northbound lane just south of Ōmokoroa Road. (Northbound traffic is to detour via Barret Road, Old Highway, Youngson Road. Southbound can stay on highway)
- SH29 – OPEN - slip clearance completed at McLaren Falls Road.
- SH36 – CLOSED due to a slip blocking both lanes near Roy Road Hamurana.
- SH36 – CLOSED due to flooding and slip debris between Central Road and Jackson Road
- SH5 – CAUTION surface flooding near Barnard Road
- SH30 – CAUTION surface flooding near Isles Road
UPDATE 8:45pm, 9 May 2023
Calls have also been recieved about the following issues. Crews will continue to prioritise and respond to jobs overnight.
- Sunnex Rd – Underslip and Flooding
- Holden Ave – Flooding
- Gloucester Rd – Flooding
- Ashpit Rd – Flooding
Crews are reporting significant amounts of surface flooding around the district and motorists are again advised to delay travel if possible and to take extreme care on the roads.
UPDATE 7:45pm, 9 May 2023
As a safety precaution, crews have closed Edmund Rd between Nairn Rd and Homedale Rd due to flooding. The road will remain closed overnight and crews will check it again in the morning.
UPDATE 6:45pm, 9 May 2023
As a safety precaution, crews are currently closing Hamurana Rd, between Mourea and Unsworth Rd, due to flooding and significant amounts of debris on the road. The road will be closed overnight until crews can check it again in the morning.
UPDATE 5:30pm, 9 May 2023
Council has received calls about flooding and fallen trees throughout the district and our contractors currently have crews prioritising and responding to the following:
- Devon St / Lytton St – Flooding
- Ford Rd – Flooding
- Edmund Rd - Flooding
- Blomfield St – Tree down
- Miller St – Flooding
- Rimu St – Flooding
- King St – Flooding
- Totara St – Flooding
- Devon St – Tree down across footpath and into lane
- Domain Ave – Flooding
- Fryer Rd – Blocked Culvert
- Willow Ave – Flooding
- Preston Rd / Ngongotaha Cycleway – Flooding
- Turner Rd - Significant Flooding
- Lake Rd – Hospital end, flooding across one lane.
- Hamurana Rd – Flooding and logs on road
- Operiana Rd – Flooding
- Te Waerenga Rd – Underslip
- Holdens Bay – Flooding
- York St – Flooding
- Blackmore Drive – Flooding
- Old Quarry Rd - Flooding
- Spencer Rd – Flooding, water across the road in several places
- Jackson Rd – Reports of significant flooding
With further rain forecast, at this stage crews will continue to work through the night responding to calls.
Motorists are advised to delay travel if possible or take extreme care as there is likely to be surface flooding, debris, treefalls and slips caused by the heavy rain that have either not been attended yet or that we are not aware of yet. Be aware that when negotiating surface flooding there may be damage to the road that is not visible.
To report any weather related issues or if you need assistance, please contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199 (24/7).
To report an emergency, please call 111.
For ongoing updates go to www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz, check www.rotorualakescouncil.nz and follow Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Rotorua Lakes Council Facebook pages.
UPDATE 3pm, 9 May 2023
Metservice has now issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Rotorua. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain which may cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
People are reminded to stay alert to the conditions around them, to take care on roads, and to prepare for this weather as much as possible (see 10:45am update below).
UPDATE 2pm, 9 May 2023
There is now also a severe thunderstorm watch in place from 2pm - 11pm tonight.
UPDATE 10:45am, 9 May 2023
There is currently a heavy rain warning in place for the Bay of Plenty including Rotorua.
The warning is in place from 3pm today (Tuesday 9 May) to 3am Wednesday 10 May.
The forecast is for heavy rain with possible thunderstorms. Metservice says 80 - 100mm of rain could fall, with 10 - 15mm/h likely, and possibly 15 - 25mm/h during thunderstorms.
Council staff and contractors are undertaking the usual checks and preparations ahead of expected adverse weather.
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Residents living near waterways such as the Ngongotaha Stream are encouraged to stay alert to rising water levels and as a precaution, to be prepared to evacuate if that were to become necessary.
Drivers are advised to take care on the roads as surface flooding and slips are possible and driving conditions may become hazardous.
Land around the district is already saturated due to the consistent rain experienced over the past week which may contribute to flooding, slips, or fallen trees during this period of heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to be aware and to be prepared to act if necessary.
Be prepared and take precautions:
- Keep an eye on MetService for the latest weather updates at www.metservice.com.
- Check your drains at home to ensure they are clear of any debris.
- Have an emergency preparedness plan and ensure everyone in your household is aware of what to do in an emergency – have an evacuation plan.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
- Travel only if you need to during heavy rain and if you need to travel take extra care and be on alert for debris, slips, treefalls and water ponding on our roads.
To report any weather related issues or if you need assistance, please contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199 (24/7).
To report an emergency, please call 111.
For ongoing updates go to www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz, check www.rotorualakescouncil.nz and follow Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Rotorua Lakes Council Facebook pages.