Civil Defence Controller Diane Turner says advises motorist and residents the status of the roads as follows;

Whakatane/Ohope

* Ohope Road restricted to single lane either way
* Taneatua Road (by blue rock quarry) Surface water
* Te Kooti Road Closed – surface flooding

Edgecumbe

* Rata Street closed due to flooding
* College Road closed
* Puriri Crescent closed
* Matai Street closed

Matata

* Police are evacuating the Matata Motor camp and the Causeway to the Camp will be closed due to flooding.

State Highways

* SH2 (by Mimiha Road) Restricted to one lane
* SH30 (between Awakeri hot pools and Maunders Road) Surface flooding

Ms Turner said people should not making unnecessary trips and residents close to streams and rivers should be aware they could rise rapidly during the next 24 hours and residents should take necessary precautions.

She said there had been a few incidents of wastewater overflows in Edgecumbe township and was asking people to avoid wading through flood waters and parents to stop children from playing in flood water.

If people need any assistance they advised call the Council on 07 306 0500 or for more information visit the website www.whakatane.govt.nz/civildefence and continue listening to the Radio.

ENDS

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