Tairāwhiti Gisborne will continue to be battered by rain on Saturday as most of the country faces a wet weekend ahead.
Gisborne remains under a state of emergency with a red heavy rain warning issued for the weekend.
It is the third state of emergency the region has had this year and the fifth in less than two years.
Extra staff from the police, St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries and Te Whatu Ora have been sent to Tairāwhiti to help with the emergency response.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty has also flown into Gisborne. He arrived on Friday night to support the region and is being shown around by Mayor Rehette Stoltz on Saturday.
As the heaviest rainfall lashed the region on Friday night, Tairāwhiti Civil Defence encouraged residents in areas prone to flooding, near a river or in a low-lying area to "self-evacuate" as a precaution.
Civil Defence said 48 people had evacuated to welfare centres set up across the region, while others went to stay with friends and whānau.
Stations in the region collected between 30 and 70mm of rain in the 12 hours to 6am, MetService said
"There has been steady rain in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and this is expected to continue today."
In an update on Saturday morning, Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said 485 customers are without power and there have been reports of a significant amount of stormwater flooding on private property.
Civil Defence said 70mm of rain fell overnight north of Tolaga Bay, with potential for a further 130mm based on forecasts, in the south of Tolaga Bay 25-35mm fell in some areas and a further 75mm is expected to fall. In the Waipapa catchment, 20-30mm fell overnight.
"Didn't see intense rainfall overnight as in the forecast. But with steady consistent totals, the Hikuwai River at Willowflat continues to rise approaching 10m with high tide due at 10:20am coincides with a further rain still falling," Civil Defence said on Facebook.
Civil Defence said the rain is expected to ease off but there still looks to be rainfall cells from Hikuwai to Waipaoa.
It said there is potential for a further 75mm to fall which is a significant amount on top of what has already fallen.
Gisborne residents are being asked to reduce water use as the wastewater system is at capacity for the city.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller David Wilson said in a statement the region's pipes are overwhelmed with the volume of water and this has coincided with high tide.
"To avoid overflow of sewage into private properties please do not flush toilets or do any loads of washing until later today."
Heavy rain overnight is also creating sewer issues around the city.
There have been reports of toilets backing up and gully traps overflowing in Gisborne.
"Please ensure all pets and children stay out of floodwaters as they could be contaminated," Tairāwhiti Emergency Management Group Controller Ben Green said.
"The rain hasn't reached the intensities forecast but it has been consistent over the past three days and it's filling up our waterways and overwhelming the wastewater pipes."
Anyone experiencing sewage issues on their property is asked to call the council on 0800 653 800.
Advice from the Ministry of Health on how to make a temporary toilet is available on the Gisborne District Council's website.
Wilson said river levels are being closely monitored and are updated every half an hour on the website.
"If you live close to a river and you're concerned, do not wait for an official evacuation notice."
Further south in Hawke's Bay, the regional council said the rainfall has caused some surface flooding.
A boil water notice is in place for Waipukurau, following the heavy rain impacting the quality of drinking water.
Travel disruptions
There is major travel disruption to the region with 73 local roads closed, Civil Defence said.
SH2 north is closed between Whatatutu Rd and Matawai and will remain shut on Saturday, Sunday and possibly Monday, Civil Defence confirmed. When the road reopens, it will be under a convoy system. SH35 Okitu to Ruatoria is also closed due to flooding.
"There are subsidence sites on Otoko Hill that have deteriorated overnight and are continuing to move. Waka Kotahi has geotechnical engineers on their way to assess the site," Civil Defence said.
Less rain fell overnight than forecasted, however, the sustained rainfall over the past three days has made the saturation levels in the region's soil very high.
"We're asking everyone to prepare for more rain to come today and please stay off our roads as they are very fragile," Wilson said.
"We've had more slips around Whataupoko overnight, and concrete bollards have been installed to stabilise some sections.
"If you're on a hilly section please check your land and contact us if you notice any cracks, creaking noises, doors sticking in your home or retaining walls leaning."
In the Hawke's Bay region, State Highway 50 between Ongaonga and Tikokino has been closed after rain caused a washout of one of the Waipawa River Bridge abutments.
Weather update for the rest of the country:
Meanwhile, a series of orange rain warnings and watches have been issued for the east of the North Island and parts of the South Island.
The Ruahine Range, Kaweka Forest Park, Hawke's Bay from SH5 southwards and eastern Marlborough south of Ward are under an orange rain warning. A heavy rain watch has also been issued for Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke, Hawke's Bay north of State Highway 5, Eastern Marlborough south of Ward and Westland.
While the heaviest rain is in the east of the North Island and top of the south, most of the country can expect rain on Saturday - with WeatherWatch saying central Otago will be the driest region.
Advice for Gisborne residents:
- Check Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Facebook page for updates.
- People wishing to sign up to receive flood alerts can do so through the Council website
- Please report any damage by filing a request for service by using the GDC FIX app on any smartphone, calling us on 0800 653 800, email service@gdc.govt.nz or via the eFix service on Council’s website
- Check local roads on Council’s website
- Check Waka Kotahi for State Highway updates.
