UPDATE: 7:30pm

State Highway 3 between Mangaorongo Road and Ngahape Road will open no earlier than 9pm tonight for essential travel only. However only light vehicles can cross the Mangaorongo Stream Bridge near the intersection with Kio Kio Station, north of Otorohanga.

Crews have cleared debris and determined the SH3 Mangaorongo Stream Bridge is safe to cross following extremely high river levels.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is urging people in the Waikato to drive with extreme caution and not attempt to drive through flooded roads.

The state of the road will be reviewed in the morning, to determine whether heavy vehicles are safe to travel.

The following state highways remain closed overnight:

• State Highway 31 to Kawhia, between Ngutunui Road and Tihiroa.
• State Highway 39, between Otorohanga and Pirongia.

UPDATE: 10:30am

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is urging people in the Waikato to drive with extreme caution and not attempt to drive through flooded roads.

A number of state highways are closed across the district, including:

• State Highway 39, between Otorohanga and Pirongia.
• State Highway 3 between Mangaorongo Road and Ngahape Road.
• State Highway 31 between Kawhia and Tihiroa
   

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for South Waikato, Taupo and Rotorua, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. If you must travel, please slow down and be prepared for surface flooding or obstructions on road. People can stay informed by checking:

· Live state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner

· Weather updates from MetService

· Advice from Civil Defenceand emergency services

UPDATE: 14 February, 7am

Due to flooding, State Highway 3 north of Mangaorongo Road at the Stream Bridge is closed.

As SH31/39 remains closed due to flooding, the detour is via SH30, 32, and SH1.

People are urged to avoid any non-essential travel and follow advice of officials.

With bad weather continuing today it’s important people slow down, be patient and drive with care and to the conditions. People can stay informed by checking:

• · Live state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner
• · Weather updates from MetService
• · Advice from Civil Defenceand emergency services

13 February

Significant flooding and slips have closed State Highway 39 between Young Street in Pirongia and Mair Street in Otorohanga.

Significant flooding is also blocking State Highway 1 in the Orauanui, Taupō area.

Due to heavy rainfall and flooding, it is expected that more roads may close tonight.

People travelling in the south-western Waikato area this evening are urged to delay their travel if possible. 

If you must travel, drive to the conditions, increase your following distance, reduce speed, avoid sudden braking, and use headlights.