Civil Defence is "strongly" advising the evacuation of Gisborne's Mangatuna as heavy rainfall causes a nearby river to rise.
At about 6pm on Friday the Gisborne District Council said on Facebook the Hikuwai River at Willow Flat had reached about 11 metres and was "steadily" rising. The council also urged residents on Paroa Rd and Mangaheia to prepare to leave.
It comes after MetService issued a heavy rain warning from 2pm Friday to 6am Saturday with 120 to 170mm of rain expected to fall at the ranges north of Tolaga Bay, on top of the rain that has already fallen.
MetService forecasted 60 to 110mm of rain to fall elsewhere in the region.
"Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h about the ranges, especially north of Tolaga Bay this afternoon and evening," MetService said on its website.
However, MetService forecasts the heavy rain to ease south of Tolaga Bay by 1am Saturday morning.
And the dousing of heavy rain has forced the closure of State Highway 35 from Okituto to the Ruatoria intersection due to flooding.
The SH35 isn't the only road affected by heavy rainfall, 28 roads across the region have been affected and are either closed or require a four-wheel-drive to use them.
The district council is asking residents to "please stay home and off roads".
"Don't move any barriers where roads are closed."
