Monday’s rain has resulted in surface flooding across some streets in Whakatāne this afternoon.

Motorists are reporting that Pounama Place and Peace Street have flooded.

Apanui Primary School released a statement on Facebook around 2.45pm asking parents to use a different access into the school grounds.

“Please use the McAlister Street entrance, if at all possible, Pounama Place is currently in flood."

A shopper to Big Save Furniture Whakatāne on The Strand reported some flooding and displaced ceiling panels in the store about 1pm.

“We got a little bit of flooding in the store but were able to clean it up quite quickly,” a staff member said.

Whakatāne District Council said the area had experienced significant rainfall over the past 24 hours.

“At approximately 1pm today water crossed over Peace Street between the northern and southern sections of Peace Stream Sponge Reserve,” Three Waters manager Jim Finlay said.

“This section of road is intended to operate similar to a ‘ford’. The new stormwater system is designed to direct water to the lowest point on the road away from properties.

“This allows water to ‘flood’ safely on the road without damaging infrastructure or private property.”

Finlay said during heavy rain, this system may also cause temporary road closures to manage water flow.

“McAlister Street flood pumps were operating as per their wet setting and once the rain eased off the water dissipated.

“Council staff investigated reports of flooding at a retail business in Central Whakatāne; however, it was found a downpipe (a private asset), was blocked at the rear of the building which caused rainwater to come in from the ceiling.”

Motorists are advised to drive with caution while flooding recedes.

Whakatāne District Council have previously encouraged residents to log into the council’s Fix It Portal for non-urgent jobs on www.whakatane.govt.nz/fixit, or to phone 07 306 0500 for anything urgent.