Tairāwhiti could receive much needed dry weather today.
Three days of rain has left flooding across much of the region and roads and bridges have been washed out, or closed by slips.
MetService is expecting little to no rain in Tairāwhiti today, but a low front is still sitting just off the coast.
Tolaga Bay Civil Defence manager Greg Shelton said while in the short term the outlook is okay, people should be careful and aware the rain could return.
Tolaga Bay, which has been hit hard by heavy downpours and surface flooding, should also be without much rain until Tuesday, he said.
But there is significant surface flooding, and a good chunk of State Highway 35 heading up and down the coast is closed due to slips and washouts.
Shelton was thankful the next few days should be relatively dry, but said Tuesday could bring rain.
"Just normal rainy day, but given what we've already got in the ground and in the rivers - anything can happen."
He said rivers have not breached, but another 50 to 80mm of rain could push them over their banks.
The Tairāwhiti region is still in a local state of emergency.
MetService has a heavy rain watch in place for the Gisborne region south of the city until 3am this morning, and a strong wind watch is in place for the region until 1pm today.
Rain compounds orchard staffing shortages
A Gisborne orchardist said heavy rain has compounded problems caused by staffing shortages, and he fears some fruit may be left to rot on the trees.
Kaiaponi grows apples that are shipped to Asia, citrus and feijoas that are sold around New Zealand, and kiwifruit that is distributed by Zespri.
General manager Scott Wilson said picking and processing has slowed right down as the region bears the brunt of severe weather.
He said the crops his company grows can only be harvested once a year and the heavy rain has struck in the middle of that season.
They will need to make up the lost work in coming weeks.
Central Hawke's Bay clean-up not starting till next week
Central Hawke's Bay residents face a difficult weekend, with the clean up from flooding not getting underway until next week.
More than 300mm of rain has fallen in the district's foothills over recent days.
The main rivers of Waipawa and Tukituki reached a one-in-50 year flood level on Thursday.
The council said its emergency operating centre will operate remotely over the weekend and crews will be busy dealing with problems from high winds, localised flooding, slips and road closures.
People are being urged to keep away from flooded areas and be vigilant when driving.
Central Hawke's Bay District Council is anticipating an expensive bill as it prepares to clean up from the heavy rain with significant road closures and water restrictions that officials say could remain in place for days.
MetService has an orange level heavy rain warning in place for Wairoa until 3am this morning, forecasting up to 60mm more rain on top of what has already fallen.
