Gisborne families trapped by flooding

Heavy rain in Gisborne

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Seven people have been trapped by heavy flooding in the Gisborne area.

Gisborne's Civil Defence unit has been on flood alert as gale-force winds and heavy rain batter the East Coast.

Civil Defence controller Jon Davies said the three families were isolated inland from Ruatoria, north of Gisborne, after a river washed away their road access overnight.

They still have power and telephone communications, he said, and the council will attempt to reinstate access tomorrow.

Areas inland from Ruatoria and south of Potaka had received between 250 and 300mm, with 100mm received in the city.

However, aside from slips and surface flooding, and wastewater overflows, emergency services had received "minimal calls" about weather-related events so far, he said.

Mr Davies said northern parts of the district in particular were "soaked", though rivers had since receded after reaching warning levels this morning.

"The district is now quite soaked to the north, with the land having reached saturation point. We are keeping a close eye on the flats north of Tolaga Bay, at Te Karaka and Manutuke."

The region was on track to receive the 300mm of rain forecast for some areas, he said. Last night, three families in the Mangatuna area north of Tolaga Bay were warned about the rising river, Mr Davies said. The families chose to remain and monitor the river themselves.

COUNTRY BATTERED BY WEATHER

In the Hawke's Bay, a slip caused by heavy rain had closed State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa this morning.

The road was blocked near Lake Tutira, 40km north of Napier, and would remain closed until further notice, the New Zealand Transport Agency said.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council said rivers were expected to rise quickly and staff were monitoring rainfall and river levels.

Farmers were advised to move stock to higher ground.

The council warned State Highway 2 near Wairoa and State Highway 38 into Waikaremoana around Wairoa-Ardkeen could also be affected by the rain.

Heavy swells up to seven metres were likely to cause damage at Haumoana and Clifton, the council said.

Up to 250mm of rain could fall in the hills and ranges of Hawke's Bay north of Napier, and up to 120mm in low-lying coastal areas until tomorrow, the MetService said.

South of Napier, up to 150mm of rain could fall in the ranges and up to 80mm in lower-lying areas to midday tomorrow.

The rain could cause flooding and slips and make driving hazardous, the MetService said.

Coromandel roads closed by flooding yesterday reopened in the afternoon as heavy rain eased in the region.

The downpours combined with high tides in the morning forced authorities to close State Highway 25 at Whitianga and Manaia, in the western Coromandel.

Six people had to be rescued after two cars became stranded in the rising water on Kauaeranga Valley Road on the Coromandel Ranges.

The bad weather was expected to continue for the first few days of the school holidays.

The MetService also warned that severe gales were expected in the Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Taihape, while strong winds were also possible in Taranaki, Wanganui, the Manawatu and the Kapiti Coast.

People have been advised to drive to the conditions, be wary of surface water on roads and be aware of fast-rising river levels. Farmers should ensure stock are moved from low-lying areas.

- © Fairfax NZ News