The Coromandel Peninsula is in for a five day pummelling as a sub tropical storm sits over the region

200 mils has already drenched the region overnight and forecasters are predicating a similar dumping today with an Orange heavy rain warning in place

Police says State Highway 25 south of Whitianga has been shut due to flooding which has cut off the eastern seaboard.

Thames Coromandel Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler says the region is used to big weather events but this one is different.

He says a four to five day event with a lot of rain and wind is unusual and the region will feel the impacts.