Motorists are being warned to prepare for anything on the roads after a car was damaged by a rockfall in the Karangahake Gorge.

A video posted by Paeroa Towing Services on Facebook overnight shows the rockfall on the side of State Highway 2 after the service had been called to tow the damaged vehicle from the scene.

The rock damaged the underside of the vehicle and the bumper.

Over the past two days, heavy rain in the Karangahake Gorge had caused more rocks to slip onto the road, Paeroa Towing Services owner Michael Small said when speaking to SunLive this morning.

“It is just a common occurrence at this time of year,” Small said.

As water runs down the bank, the mud gets exposed, dissolves, and rocks come tumbling down, he said.

Small said the road conditions on SH2 in the Karangahake Gorge can be challenging, with slips, floods, and crashes.

If drivers see a rock slip on to the road, they are advised to remove it from the highway if it is safe to do so, he said.

Bay of Plenty and Coromandel residents can expect a wet and unsettled day today.

According to the MetService, rain will turn to showers in the morning, with possible thunderstorms.

Easterly winds, strong in exposed places, will change to northerly in the morning.

A heavy rain watch is in place but is expected to turn to showers in the afternoon.

Tauranga and Rotorua are experiencing rain turning to showers in the afternoon, with possible thunderstorms north of Ngongotahā and elsewhere from late morning.

Easterly winds are shifting to northerly later in the day.

Motorists should exercise caution, as heavy downpours may lead to surface flooding and reduced visibility, MetService said.