Tauranga City Council is urging residents to "be prepared" for severe weather tonight, after a red rain warning was put in place for the region.

MetService issued the red heavy rain Warning for Bay of Plenty west of about Kawerau, including Tauranga, from 3am to 9pm Wednesday, February 1.

"Under a red warning, there is potential for rain to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding," says a MetService spokesperson.

"Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities."

Motorists should "avoid essential travel" - Waka Kotahi:

A Waka Kotahi spokesperson is also advising motorists to "avoid any non-essential" travel in the North Island regions under a red rain warning.

'If you don't need to be driving in these areas, please stay home. If you need to travel in affected areas, please check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before you leave," says Waka Kotahi National Emergency Response Team spokesperson Mark Owen.

"This page is updated 24/7 by our traffic operations centres, and is the best source of the most recent and reliable information available on state highway closures and disruptions.

"Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure that the latest updates are displayed."

Image: MetService.

"Be prepared" - Tauranga City Council:

"Council is advising residents to take extreme care in flood prone areas and be prepared to evacuate," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson.

"Self-evacuate if you feel unsafe. If possible, go to family and friends in the first instance. If you require urgent accommodation assistance upon evacuation, phone Tauranga City Councils Emergency Management team through our call centre on 07 577 7000."

Tauranga City Council Civil Defence Controller Mike Naude says now is the time to think about where you will go and what you need to take with you if you are instructed to evacuate.

'We are urging people to be prepared, and stay out of flood waters,” says Mike.

'Flood water may look calm, but those conditions can change really quickly, with devasting consequences”.

Some areas in the city (such as Greerton Rugby Fields) and roads are designed to flood first to reduce the chances of homes being impacted.

'People need to stay out of flood water and take extra care around stormwater drains, culverts and manholes which become powerful suction devices that can sweep away a child or adult in an instant,” adds Mike.

Council contractors have been out checking on outlets, stormwater pumps, flap gates and drains throughout the day.

Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the safety and wellbeing of the community is our top priority.

'With more extreme weather to come, our message is for everyone to look after each other, and check in on whānau, friends and neighbours,” says Anne.

Get a grab bag ready

Each bag should have:

• Walking shoes, warm clothes, raincoat, and hat
• Water and snack food
• Hand sanitiser
• Portable phone charger
• Cash
• Copies of important documents and photo ID
• Medications
• Torch
• Radio
• Special dietary requirement foods

For more advice on getting prepared head to https://getready.govt.nz/en/emergency/floods/.

Evacuation

"If you are evacuated by emergency services bring with you any essential items you may need including medication, warm clothing, and baby items.

"Evacuate to family and friends in the first instance.

"If you have been evacuated, it may not be safe to return home until your property has been assessed. Listen to emergency services and local Civil Defence authorities and don't return home until they tell you it is safe to do so.

"If you require urgent accommodation assistance upon evacuation, phone Tauranga City Council's Emergency Management team through our call centre on 07 577 7000.

"Keep an eye on the road gutters in your own area.

"If you do sweep up leaves and debris, please make sure they don't wash back into the drains as this causes blockages and potential flooding issues.

During the storm:

"Put safety first and don't take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water.

"If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

"In an emergency where lives are in danger call 111 immediately.

"Contact Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000 to report flooding, slips or other weather-related issues in your area so our contractors can respond where they are needed.

"We respond to flooding emergencies as soon as we can. However, if the flooding is widespread, we might not be able to meet your needs immediately in an emergency.

"Listen to the radio or follow your Civil Defence Emergency Management Group online. Be prepared to evacuate and keep your grab bag near. Listen to emergency services and local Civil Defence authorities.

"Follow any instructions about evacuation of your area."

Follow Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and MetService New Zealand for the latest weather and emergency updates

For updates on State Highways go to Waka Kotahi

For updates on local roads go to the Tauranga City Council website and Western Bay of Plenty District Council | Tauranga | Facebook

The Tauranga City Council will continue to provide updates on their Facebook page over the coming days.

Update on Oropi Bridge:

"The road has been reduced to one lane over the Oropi Bridge (opposite the golf course) due to subsidence around the bridge. Traffic lights are being installed and will be monitored 24/7."

Parks and walkway closures:

"McLaren Falls Park from the Animal Park onwards is closed until further notice.

"We will be closing the walkway on the Tauranga Domain side of Takitimu Drive from Hamilton Street to West Street."

Follow RNZ's latest updates below: