UPDATE 6.12pm: State Highway 25 between Whitianga and Kaimarama is now reopen after "horrendous flooding" hit the region.

A Waka Kotahi spokesperson says motorists should still drive with care in the area.

"This section of road is now open. Thanks for your patience," reads a Twitter post made by Waka Kotahi.

EARLIER 3.55pm: A Coromandel town has been cut off after heavy rain and flooding hit the region.

Whitianga residents are struggling to get in and out of the town after the road at Wades Culvert, SH25, was flooded after MetService warned of severe thunderstoms and localised downpours of 25 to 40mm per hour.

Waka Kotahi officially closed the road shortly after noon.

Owner of Whitianga's Stoked Restaurant, Rebekah Driscoll, have had to close the restaurant as she and her husband and staff are unable to get into town.

”It's horrendous. We didn't have any warning, so it's been really unexpected. You might be able to get through on the road with a high four-wheel drive, but we decided that isn't safe, and the currents look really strong.

'These roads just can't take it.”

Thames and Coromandel District Council has had received no reports overnight.

'No issues reported overnight, but we've heard of some surface flooding on SH25 south of Whitianga,” says a spokesperson.

-Annemarie Quill/Stuff.