State of emergency remains in Rotorua, but MetService says worst is over

Monday, 30 April 2018

Flooding on Brookdale Street, Ngongotaha, Rotorua.

MetService says the worst is over for Bay of Plenty, but a State of Emergency remains in force for residents affected by flooding in Ngongotaha.

Rotorua Lakes Council mayor Steve Chadwick made the declaration on Sunday night after more than 20 homes flooded, the displaced residents stayed overnight at the Energy Centre.

On Monday morning, a spokeswoman at the council said there had been no callouts since about 11pm last night and authorities would review the situation again throughout the day.

Flooding in Rotorua has reached cars' windows.

Meanwhile in Timaru, three homes were evacuated when a bank behind one collapsed from flooding. South Canterbury recorded 100 millimetres of rain in the 32 hours leading up to Sunday.

More heavy rain is forcast for Rotorua a day after after the district experienced its wettest hour on record on Sunday.

MetService lead meteorologist Mark Todd said showers would still continue throughout the region Monday, but 'not the torrential downpours seen on the weekend'.

'They could be briefly heavy at times, but nothing as severe as what happened on Sunday and things should begin to ease,' he said.

According to Niwa, Rotorua had its wettest hour on record, for any day in any month, with 51.8 mm of rain falling between 10am - 11am.

Cumulative rainfall for the 24 hour period up to 9:00am Sunday 29 April.

💧 Rotorua had its wettest hour on record (any day, any month) today with 51.8 mm between 10-11 am!

Streets flooded in Rotorua as traffic built up on Sunday afternoon.

💧 Hourly records began 54 years ago in 1964.

Flooding captured by drivers in Rotorua, near the Skyline.

💧 In total, the town recorded 167.8 mm between 4am Sat-6pm Sun, or nearly 1.5 times the April monthly normal in 38 hours. pic.twitter.com/mwpCqDWJEQ

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 29, 2018

However, Todd said the easing trend would 'happen very slowly'.

A low pressure moving over the country meant any clearance won't happen quickly, he said.

The Ministry of Education said some schools and early learning centres in the Bay of Plenty and South Canterbury are likely to be closed today due to flooding.

'The best information will come from schools and early learning services themselves as they make decisions,' a spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, another low off the coast of Gisborne was moving southwards and could bring widespread rain to some eastern areas.

'It's moving down towards Hawke's Bay and there is a risk there could be heavy falls, but it's unlikely at this stage,' Todd said.

MetService issued a heavy rain warning for Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Buller and Westland north of Hokitika.

There is also a chance heavy showers could hit Auckland on Monday, MetService has forecast a high of 21 degrees Celsius.

Both Hamilton and Tauranga are also expected to reach 21C, among light showers.

Low cloud and drizzle would hang around Wellington in the morning, developing into rain by the afternoon - a high of 15C.

In Christchurch and Dunedin morning rain should ease by afternoon and clear overnight, 13C for both.