Roading contractors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty are on standby following predictions of strong winds to continue in the area until this evening.

A number of trees have fallen in the area keeping contractors busy as they clear roads.

Whakatane District Council transportation manager Martin Taylor says the strong winds really caused a nuisance in the early hours of the morning.

'We had trees come down on Golf Links Road, Otakiri Road, Galatea Road – Waiohau Hill, Ohope Hill Road and Wainui Road.”

Martin says the debris has since been cleared.

'We have no road closures or delays to report.”

He says the New Zealand MetService forecast suggests there is still more severe weather to come with heavy rain bursts predicted for the Bay of Plenty this evening.

Martin says the Whakatane District Council will remain on standby to respond should the need arise.