Rain Continues To Ease

For immediate release: 5am, Sunday 15 August 2010

Rain has eased across the region.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Duty Flood Manager Bruce Crabbe said the Otara, Waioeka, and Waimana Rivers exceeded second warning levels, but have now peaked and are receding. The Whakatāne River flow has exceeded 2200m3/s (and is still rising) which is approximately a 30-year return period flow.

At approx 23:00, MetService verbally advised a further 50-80mm rainfall east of Whakatāne to midday Sunday.

Rainfall totals in the previous 48 hours:

Waimana at Ranger Station 323mm
Waioeka at Cableway 244mm
Tutaetoko (Otara Catchment) 230mm
Whakatāne at Huiteiki 190mm

The Upper Rangitāiki Catchment between 74 and 122 mm

The Rangitāiki Plains have recorded up to 160mm.

Mr Crabbe said businesses on the Whakatāne wharf have been given warnings as river levels have reached the underside of the wharf, and are still rising.

Trust Power lowered Matahina lake levels by increased spilling as per an earlier request to a total generation and spill of 300 m3/s

Stop logs were installed due to rising levels in the Whakatāne River, and also in the Te Rahu and Waioho Canals. High tide is expected around 11:00hrs.

The operation crews are out monitoring pumps and stopbanks and responding to calls as needed.

Mr Crabbe said we can expect surface floodwater on low-lying rural land for some days until the drainage systems can remove the excess water.

There are a number of road closures around the region. Due to many large slips the Waioeka gorge is closed, and Opotiki is currently isolated due to slips in surrounding areas. The road is also closed between Tāneatua and Kutarere by flooding. More information on road closures is available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website at http://nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html

For updated information, visit Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website at www.envbop.govt.nz and click on the live monitoring link to see updates of river and rainfall levels around the region.

ENDS

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