In seven words the Thames-Coromandel District Council summed up the weather which bashed the peninsula overnight.

'Well what a night we have had.”

According to MetService, so far the total rainfall in the Coromandel is 23.6mm, with the heaviest downfall of 17.2mm occurring from 12-2am. The total rainfall forecast for today is 50.5mm.

The Bay of Plenty has fared no better, with a total of 28mm of rain rainfall falling in the Eastern Bay, with the heaviest downpour of 24mm occurring from 12-2am. Total rainfall forecast for the Easertne Bay is 57.2mm. MetService rainfall data was not available for the Western Bay.

MetService forecast periods of heavy rain will continue to affect the North Island today, with another 60-90mm of likely to fall on the Coromandel until mid-morning. However, further rain or showers are expected during Sunday, especially in the morning.

While further south in the Bay of Plenty, periods of heavy rain are expected to ease around midday, but like the Coromandel, further rain or showers are expected during Sunday.

New Zealand Transport Agency road crews worked overnight to clear slips and flooding on state highways in the Coromandel, and are continuing to monitoring the road network today.

NZTA regional performance manager Karen Boyt says motorists need to take extra care when travelling this weekend as the crews get on with the clean-up.

'Everybody in the Coromandel should avoid getting on the roads if they can especially on the road that runs up the coast from Thames to Coromandel town.

'It was a busy night of flooding and closures and the crews are out there again assessing damage and cleaning up where they can.

'The road closure situation can change quickly so the best way for people to stay up to date is to check our website."

COROMANDEL ROADS UPDATE – 2PM:

STATE HIGHWAY CLOSURES:

• SH25 Whangamata Bypass: The road is closed because of multiple large slips. There is a detour through Whangamata town.
• SH25 Kuaotunu Hill: Now open but extreme caution required, so avoid unnecessary travel.

OPEN STATE HIGHWAYS:

• SH25 Whangamata to Waihi (Whiritoa): Reports of this closing are false, the road is currently open and there are no plans to close it at this stage but there are area warnings in place so please drive with care.
• SH25 Whangamata to Tairua: Open.
• SH25 Opoutere Road: Open.
• SH25 Hikuai to Tairua: Open.
• SH25A Kopu to Hikuai: The road is now open with stop/go traffic control in place.
• SH26 Kopu to Paeroa: Open.
• SH25 from Thames to Coromandel town (Coast Road): The highway is open but small slips are continuing to come down. For safety reasons people should avoid using this road.

DISTRICT ROADS:

• Hikuai Settlement Road, Pauanui: Open.
• Tapu-Coroglen Road: Open.
• The 309 Road: Open to one lane.
• Paul Road: Open to one lane.
• Colville Road: Open to one lane between Shelley Beach and Oamaru Bay, otherwise open.
• Neavesville Road, Puriri: The ford has been washed out at approximately number 500 Neavesville Road, Puriri. The forestry slash has caused a lot of damage and isolated the residents at the end of this road. We are waiting to hear back from contractors for an update.

COROMANDEL ROADS UPDATE - 10AM:

STATE HIGHWAY CLOSURES:

• SH25 Whangamata: The road is closed because of a large slip. There is a detour through Whangamata town.
• SH25 Hikuai to Tairua: The road is currently closed because of flooding. TCDC expects it to open again once high tide goes down.

OPEN STATE HIGHWAYS:

• SH25A Kopu to Hikuai: The road is now open to one lane. Please abide by all speed restrictions and expect delays.
• SH25 from Thames to Coromandel town (Coast Road): The highway is open but small slips are continuing to come down. For safety reasons people should avoid using this road

COROMANDEL ROADS UPDATE - 8AM:

STATE HIGHWAYS:

• Whangamata SH25a bypass - CLOSED
• Kopu to Hikuai SH25 - CLOSED
• Whangamata to Tairua SH25- CLOSED
• SH25 Thames – OPEN

DISTRICT ROADS

• Hikuai Settlement Rd Pauanui - CLOSED
• The 309 Road - CLOSED
• East Coast Road (Kaiaua – Miranda) – OPEN, down to one lane
• Waihi to Hikuai – OPEN, drive with caution due to slips
• Thames Coast Rd - OPEN, drive with caution due to slips