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Residents on parts of the Coromandel Peninsula are being told to stay indoors and avoid travelling, due to flooding in the region.

In the past 24 hours 143 milimetres of rain has fallen on the Coromandel Peninsula. And while it is not yet at the stage of a civil defence emergency there are warnings that more heavy rain is coming.

Floodwaters have cut off most of the main access roads into several townships including Whangamata, Tairua and Pauanui.

Peter Hazel from the Thames-Coromandel District Council says flooding also affected about 20 homes and firefighters were called to pump water out.

Hazel says further heavy rain is forecast and a critical time will be about 2am Wednesday morning with the high tide.

State Highway 25 between Kopu and Hikuai will remain closed overnight and the only access into both Whangamata and Tairua is from the south.

Two families were so concerned by the flash flooding that they took flight and evacuated as the water rushed into their homes while nearly 24 others had to call in firefighters to pump out basements, and lower levels.

The road between Tairua and Pauanui is still closed while the main road into Whangamata has re-opened.

But the local council is still warning people to take care with a heavy rain warning in place for the Coromandel Peninsula from now until Wednesday morning with another 90 milimetres predicted.

Hope all the forum members in the Coromandel are safe and sound

bucketing down over here - the water is like pea soup over this side (Tairua).  at least the bar is getting a long awaited clean out  & the snapper will be going hard when it drops off!!!

Came back up here on Tues arvo 17th. Was told at Thames that ALL roads to Whitianga are closed. Sounded a bit suspect, and with not really wanting to go back to Matamata, carried on up the Thames coast.(Kopu-Hikuai rd was closed). Stopped to ask at Tapu if the hill was open, told that if no signs up the road, it is. Kept on going over the old Tapu hill rd. (bought back a few memories in that weather!!). Kept going to Coroglen then to Whitianga.The old road was a bit wet, but in good nick really. Darn sunshowers continue here,with thunder and lightnin', only a few inches, but no probs. Bad luck in Tauranga tho. Cheers.