29/07/2025
Stay safe everyone 🙏 ❤️
UPDATE 7am 31/07
Please refer to this post for live updates:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1165395078965649&set=a.307852038053295
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UPDATE 4.47pm, Wednesday 30/7:
⚡️The Ruatoki community is currently experiencing a power outage affecting approximately 516 households and businesses since 5.18am this morning.
The electricity provider is investigating the cause and working to restore power as quickly as possible.
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UPDATE 1:48pm, Wednesday 30/7:
ℹ️A further update regarding access to the eastern Bay of Plenty / Ōpōtiki.
⛔️ Wainui Road - REMAINS CLOSED due to flooding. We are working to provide info on how long this closure will be in place for. Our crews are onsite monitoring water levels (currently over 200mm), and inspecting damage to the road underneath. We will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
⛔️ SH2 Tāneatua to Kutarere (Waimana Gorge) is currently closed also.
These two closures are preventing any access to Ōpōtiki. We will provide updates on this as soon as possible. Emergency services have been notified.
While the sun is shining, river levels continue to rise. Please continue to keep safe and make wise decisions when driving across our rohe. Kia haumaru i ngā huarahi🥰
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UPDATE 11:15am, Wednesday 30/7:
⛔️ Wainui Road - CLOSED - flooding
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UPDATE 10am, Wednesday 30/7:
🚧⚠️ Herepuru Road - BLOCKED - slips. Working to open one lane, will be 3-4 hours before both lanes are re-opened - (SORTED)
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UPDATE 9:40am, Wednesday 30/7:
✅Peace Street - NOW OPEN
💧⚠️ Lewis Road - CAUTION - flooding - (SORTED)
💧⚠️ Pounama Place - CAUTION - flooding - (SORTED)
State Highways:
⛔️ SH30 (from Onepu through to roundabout @ Rotorua turnoff) CLOSED - slips
⛔️ SH2 Tāneatua to Kutarere (Waimana Gorge) is currently closed to through traffic (access for local traffic only).
✅ SH2 (between Edgecumbe + Matatā) now open
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UPDATE 7:15am, Wednesday 30/7:
📈 Alright team - rivers are on the rise as the downpours roll in. If we had a crystal ball, here’s what we expect to unfold over the next couple of hours - consider this your heads up:
💧⚠️ Large downpours are expected around 8am. We urge you to stay off the roads if at all possible. We'll reiterate - if you absolutely have to be on the roads, drive like you've got a space saver on, or your Nan's in the car. SLOW DOWN. LIGHTS ON.
🚧⚠️ We're expecting Wainui Road and Rewatu Road to experience flooding, and will likely close. These roads currently remain open, however we do expect this to change - we'll keep you updated. (WAINUI ROAD NOW CLOSED as at 11:15am)
🚧⚠️ Likewise on the State Highway front, we're also expecting Waimana Gorge to close too. It's currently open, however expect this to change also. (NOW CLOSED)
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UPDATE 6am, Wednesday 30/7:
💧 A huge amount of rain has fallen overnight (we'll get amounts to you when we can), and that wind was spiiiiicy.
👷🏽♂️🦺 Our crews have been working through the night tending to slips, flooding and debris on our local roads (absolute legends!!🫶🏽). They'll continue to do this throughout the day to keep you and your whānau safe.
ℹ️ Here's what you need to know (we'll keep updating this post for you):
⛔️ Reid Road - CLOSED - flooding
⛔️ Awahou Road - CLOSED - flooding
🌲🚧 Hogg Road - BLOCKED - tree across road - (SORTED)
🌲⚠️ Wainui Road - SLIPS - drive with caution - (NOW CLOSED)
🌲⚠️ Pokairoa Road - TREES DOWN - drive with caution - (SORTED)
🌲⚠️ Ngamotu Road - TREES DOWN - drive with caution - (SORTED)
🌲⚠️ Braemar Road - TREES DOWN - drive with caution - (SORTED)
🌲⚠️ Herepuru Road - TREES DOWN - drive with caution - (SORTED)
For State Highway information, please view NZTA's traffic planner here 👉🏽www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/bay-of-plenty/closures/519613
⛔️ Noting there is also a closure on State Highway 2 (between Edgecumbe + Matatā) due to a truck rollover - (NOW OPEN)
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🌧️ UPDATE: Winter still hates us. Roads could flood. Rivers could rise. Bins might fly. Stay home if you can 🌧️
If you're hoping for a chill Tuesday night, soz, the weather has other plans.
A 🟠Heavy Rain Warning - Orange🟠 remains in place for the Whakatāne District tonight until 8am tomorrow, and it’s not here to mess around.
☔️ Expect 150–180mm of rain, with possible downpours of up to 40mm an hour tonight through early tomorrow.
💦 That kind of rain means business and can quickly overwhelm things - flooded drains, slips, surface flooding, and fast-rising rivers are all in the mix.
🚗 Roads could get rough, so think twice before heading out for those takeaways. Or if you absolutely have to go out, drive like your nana's in the car.
⛈️ On top of that, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect 3am–8am Wednesday.
This means intense bursts of rain, surface flooding, flash flooding etc.
💨 Oh, and it’s not just the rain. Strong northeasterlies are sticking around too with a Strong Wind Watch also in play that could ramp up to severe gale in exposed areas. Get out there now and tie down the tramp if you haven't already, sort out the outdoor umbrellas, and don’t even think about ignoring that wheelie bin.
🪨🌲 Escarpments and hillsides are especially soggy, so please be cautious especially if you live or work near steep or unstable areas. Get out of the area asap if you see or hear any sights of movement and call us right away.
🧐 What to expect:
🔹Rivers and streams rising rapidly
🔹Flooding of berms and low-lying areas
🔹Potential isolation of rural properties
🔹Localised slips and road closures. Some properties could be cut off temporarily.
🔹Widespread ponding and tricky driving conditions
🔹Wild weather continuing into tomorrow morning
📲 Keep an eye on the latest via MetService
📞 Urgent help: 07 306 0500 (24/7)
💻 Non-urgent issues: whakatane.govt.nz/fixit
ℹ️ We’ll keep updating this post throughout the night and tomorrow with anything and everything we know.
💬 Got your own intel or pics? Feel free to drop them in the comments.
🧡 Check on your people – neighbours, whānau, pets, the works. And if you hear thunder at 3am, yep - we're all in this together. Kia manawanui, whānau - we’ve got this. Stay safe, stay dry 💛
