Businesses brace for flooding

Katikati businesses are bracing themselves for high tide at around 5pm today, concerned heavy rain may cause a repeat of the flooding which hit the town on July 4.

John Allen of Katikati Pharmacy says boards have been fitted to the bottom of the pharmacy and adjoining gift shop doors in an effort to keep out flood water.

The carpet at Mural Town Backpackers had to be ripped up after flooding earlier this month.

Earlier in the month water poured through the building meaning stock had to be moved.

Down the road and closer to the river, the staff at Mural Town Backpackers is also monitoring the rain and the level of the Uretara Stream, hoping the building will escape flooding this time.

Earlier in the month carpets had to be lifted from the building’s ground floor as heavy rain coincided with a high tide, backing up water.

During that storm a section of State Highway 2 was closed because of flooding and parts of Waihi Beach were also hard hit.

A heavy rain warning has been issued for the Western Bay of Plenty with rain expected to last until late Monday evening.

In the 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Monday the MetService predicts 50 to 80mm of rain on top of what has already fallen with the heaviest accumulations about the Kaimai Ranges.

People are advised to be aware of river levels and watch for localised surface flooding and slips.

Heavy rain and strong winds hammer boats in Pilot Bay.