Our forecast has improved. We're going to wrap this post up here, however as always, we'll continue to loop you in on everything you need to know via our social channels and website.
A severe weather warning is now in place for the Whakatāne District from 3pm today to 3am tomorrow morning (note, this is for the wider Bay of Plenty region, including Rotorua).
The forecast is for heavy rain (80-100mm) with possible thunderstorms. Rainfall rates of 10-15mm per hour are likely, but could reach 15-25 mm per hour in thunderstorms.
The ground across our District is already saturated so we're expecting further slips - we're also expecting to see surface flooding. Please be super cautious when moving around the rohe only drive if you really need to. With this amount of rain rivers and streams could rise rapidly so it's a good idea to keep away from them if you can.
We're keeping a close eye on things and regularly updating our Facebook page and this page with information as it comes in.
As always, you can get in touch with us, to report any urgent issues to 07 306 0500, anything non-urgent can be logged through our online Fix it and Report a Problem form.
If the situation poses an immediate serious threat to people's lives or safety, please dial 111.
Kia haumaru te noho / Stay safe out there e te whānau
Jump to a section: Key information | Latest updates | Keep up to date | Escarpment information | Get prepared
Key information
- Please take care on the road.
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council is monitoring all rivers across the District closely.
- If you live or work near cliffs and steep slopes (escarpments) keep a close eye on any instability. This includes movements of trees or the slope, cracks in the earth, ground slumpage, or dislodged boulders suspended in vegetation on the cliff face. If you feel unsafe, bunk down with friends or whānau until you feel safe to return.
- At this stage, kerbside rubbish services will still go ahead tomorrow morning. Please pop your bins out in the morning before 7:30am, rather than tonight. If you see a bin that's blown over, please pick it up to prevent rubbish from entering our waterways.
- We'll continue to keep you updated with everything you need to know right here, on our website, and if required - via our local radio stations Radio 1XX, SunFM1065, TumekeFM and ManawaFM.
- If anyone feels unsafe, we encourage you to self-evacuate to friends or family / whānau, however this is up to the individual and not a request from Whakatāne District Council.
Latest updates
Final Update: Wednesday, 10 May 3:51pm
Our forecast has improved. We're going to wrap this post up here, however as always, we'll continue to loop you in on everything you need to know via our social channels and website. This includes updates on Pekatahi Bridge and Rewatu, Reid and Stanley Roads.
Anything major that crops up will also be broadcast on our local radio stations Radio 1XX, SunFM1065, TumekeFM and ManawaFM.
A big mihi / thanks to everyone right across the rohe / region who again worked big hours to help keep our communities safe, both monitoring the heavy rain and its impacts and reinstating access for those that need it.
Remember, if anything crops up that we need to know about, please call our Customer Service Centre 24/7 on 07 306 0500.
✅ Reid Road - OPEN
✅ Rewatu Road - OPEN
Update: Wednesday, 10 May 2:52pm
✅ Awahou Road - OPEN with extreme caution
⛔️ Reid Road - CLOSED
⛔️ Rewatu Road - CLOSED due to flooding. There is also significant damage to the road surface.
Update: Wednesday, 10 May 1:40pm
✅ SH2 Pekatahi Bridge - OPEN - Waka Kotahi have advised that waters have receded enough to reopen the bridge to traffic.
Update: Wednesday, 10 May - 12:35pm
⚠️ Red Devon Corner, Tāneatua Road - down to one lane due to flooding. Please drive with extreme caution
⛔️ Pekatahi Bridge - CLOSED due to flooding
Whakatāne River has risen to the second warning level (this means the river has overtopped the river channel banks and has inundated the area (berm) next to river but is still within either a floodway or stopbank).
Update: Wednesday, 10 May - 9:15am
⚠️ Galatea Road - slip closing one lane past the dam
⚠️ Ruatāhuna - multiple slips passable with caution
⚠️ Burnett Road - surface flooding
Update: Wednesday, 10 May - 8:50am
It was a relatively quiet night for our crews across the rohe / region with a heap of monitoring going on and a few slips here and there.
We're feeling for our Western Bay mates who bore the brunt of the weather and who have a big cleanup on their hands today - along with many other spots across the motu / country.
While it may seem we've dodged a bullet, we’re also very aware heavy rain remains forecast between 9am-10am today so we’re not out of the woods just yet.
Grounds across the District are super soggy. It's really important you move around the roads with caution and have your wits about you if you live or work near steep slopes or cliffs (escarpments). Be on the lookout for any signs of instability and get out of the immediate area if you feel unsafe.
You can get in touch with us, to report any urgent issues to 07 306 0500, anything non-urgent can be logged through our online Fix it and Report a Problem form.
Update: Wednesday, 10 May - 7:12am
⛔️ Awahou Road - CLOSED due to flooding
⛔️ Reid Road - CLOSED due to flooding
Update: Wednesday, 10 May - 12:55am
⚠️ Wainui Road - surface flooding
Update: Tuesday, 9 May - 10:45pm
⚠️ Taneatua Road - surface flooding
⚠️ Miro Drive, Oregon Drive and Tawa Street Murupara - surface flooding
⚠️ Troutbeck and Whirinaki Road Galatea - surface flooding.
⚠️ Te Whaiti and Minginui - surface flooding in multiple spots
Update: Tuesday, 9 May - 8:30pm
We've had word there are slips on Ngamotu Road, near the intersection of McKee Road at Matahina Forest. We're unsure if the road is passable and are working on getting further detail.
Update: Tuesday, 9 May - 8:09pm
- The good news - MetService New Zealand has lifted the severe thunderstorm warning for the Bay of Plenty.
- The niggly news - It's still lashing it down.
Update: Tuesday, 9 May - 5:03pm
- The Severe Thunderstorm Warning - yellow has been upgraded to a red level warning. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
- If you spot any issues that need urgently sorting please call us on 07 306 0500. This phone line is monitored 24 hours.
Update: Tuesday, 9 May - 3:50pm
- A severe weather warning is in place for the Whakatāne District. We're very closely monitoring the weather and its impacts and will provide rolling updates on this Facebook Post and this page. Please keep a close on it to help keep you and your whānau safe.
- A heavy rain warning - orange is in place from now until 3am tomorrow morning (note, this is for the wider Bay of Plenty region, including Rotorua too).
The forecast is for heavy rain (80-100mm) with possible thunderstorms. Rainfall rates of 10-15mm per hour are likely, but could reach 15-25 mm per hour in thunderstorms. - A severe thunderstorm warning - yellow is in place for the wider Bay of Plenty region from now until 11pm tonight. Some of these thunderstorms may become SEVERE, producing localised torrential rain in excess of 40 mm/h, damaging wind gusts of greater than 110 km/h, and a slight chance of a damaging tornado. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.
- The ground across our District is already saturated so we're expecting further slips - we're also expecting to see surface flooding. Please be super cautious when moving around the rohe / region only drive if you really need to and stay away from rivers and streams as they could rise rapidly.
- If your property has previously flooded (such as your garage) - it's a good idea to lift any essential items off the ground. We recommend doing this now, rather than in the middle of the night when it's dark and wet.
- If you live or work near cliffs and steep slopes (escarpments) keep a close eye on any instability. This includes movements of trees or the slope, cracks in the earth, ground slumpage, or dislodged boulders suspended in vegetation on the cliff face. If you feel unsafe, bunk down with friends or whānau until you feel safe to return.
- At this stage, kerbside rubbish services will still go ahead tomorrow morning. Please pop your bins out in the morning before 7:30am, rather than tonight. If you see a bin that's blown over, please pick it up to prevent rubbish entering our waterways.
Where to get updates
We will be updating the information on our website as the situation evolves, you can also get the latest updates and guidance from these channels:
- Weather warnings from MetService
- Waka Kotahi: Road closures and traffic conditions: Traffic map
- Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website | Facebook page
- Check the Whakatāne District Council Facebook page »
- Tune in to Radio
- 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
- Sun FM - 106.5 FM | Listen Online
- Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM | Listen Online
For media enquiries email media@whakatane.govt.nz.
Important information for Whakatāne and Ōhope residents living or working close to escarpments
Whakatāne and Ōhope residents living or working close to escarpments should always remain alert for any signs of escarpment instability.
Get prepared | Me takatū
The GetReady website is a great resource for people to check out, with lots of information and tips for how people can prepare for emergencies. Think about your family members, pets and belongings - be prepared to leave if you need to, and have enough supplies to sustain yourself for up to three days. If you are reliant on prescription medication, it is worth ensuring you have enough supplies to get you through next week.