Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
State Highway 35 is closed between Ōpōtiki and Maraenui after heavy rain has caused a slip and fallen trees.
Waka Kotahi said the road will be closed overnight as safety assessments take place.
The clean-up will begin Monday morning.
Waka Kotahi said no detour is available between Ōpōtiki and Te Araroa due to State Highway 2 being closed at Matawai tonight.
UPDATE 3:25PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) August 20, 2023
SH35 is now CLOSED east of Ōpōtiki, between Beach Rd and Tirohanga Rd.
The road will remain CLOSED overnight to allow for safety assessments to take place. Slip and fallen tree-clearing efforts will take place tomorrow morning along SH35.
No detour is available. https://t.co/885WjkuukP pic.twitter.com/YppkzNcEl2
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the Bay of Plenty east of Kawerau and Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria.
MetService has also issued a strong wind watch for much of the North Island on Monday.
Strong Wind Watches will be in effect for some North Island areas tomorrow with a developing strong south to southwest flow.
— MetService (@MetService) August 20, 2023
Heavy Rain Warning for Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti/Gisborne has been lifted - many stations doubling their rainfall total for August 2023 https://t.co/d4peUTm3sC
