Update on Gisborne rain event

Gisborne

No new problems were recorded in the Gisborne district overnight despite heavy rainfall and the Hikuwai River north of Tolaga Bay reaching nearly 11 metres. Evacuations are likely when the river reaches 12m.

Most roads in the district are open but problems remained this morning in the Tauwhareparae Road, Waimata Valley Road and the Anaura Bay Road, which is open only to four-wheel drive traffic. State highways in and out of the region are all open.

Gisborne Civil Defence controller Peter Higgs said the district had coped well with the high volumes of rainfall since late Tuesday night.

“Rivers reached peak levels, below evacuation levels, and are now receding. If the forecast remains the same, with another 100mm predicted through to 7am tomorrow, we think the rivers and our systems will cope,”

Meanwhile, motorists are still advised to take care on the wet, slippery roads Several sites on the East Coast north of Tolaga Bay recorded rain falls of more than 80mm overnight with 110mm in the Waikura Valley.

Rainfall figures since the rain event began include 314mm at Arowhana and 280mm at Mangapoike and Hikuwai, north of Tolaga Bay.

Details about road closures and river levels are available on the Gisborne District Council website www.gdc.govt.nz

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