Civil Defence keeping a watch on river levels

Tapuaeroa Road has been closed at the 16-17km mark due to surface flooding.

The region is in line for more rain as Civil Defence authorities here keep a cautious eye on river levels.

The MetService today issued an Orange Heavy Rain warming for Gisborne, forecasting 130mm to 160mm of rain, on top of what had already fallen.

Peak rates of 15 to 25 millimetres an hour are expected tomorrow afternoon in possible thunderstorms.

“A large, deep, complex low-pressure system just north of New Zealand is moving slowly south-southeast,” a MetService media statement said.

“Fronts and troughs associated with this low are expected to bring heavy rain and severe gales to some northern and eastern North Island areas.”

Tairāwhiti Emergency Management manager Ben Green said local Civil Defence volunteer groups reported that Tapuaeroa Road was closed at the 16-17km mark due to surface flooding.

“The rain is steady in Tairāwhiti and we’re certainly all aware of the warning levels as a community,” Mr Green said.

“While there will be those who are welcoming the rain to fill up their water tanks, our communities adopt a cautious approach when weather warnings are in place.

“We’re keeping an eye on river levels. At this point, everything’s stable.”

Civil Defence teams will monitor the weather as it moves down from the northern Bay of Plenty throughout the night.

■ To sign up for text flood alerts, and to check the alert levels of the Waipaoa, Waimata/Taruheru, Hikuwai/Uawa and Te Arai rivers, people should visit: www.gdc.govt.nz/services/Do-it-online/join-it/subscribe-to-flood-warning-alerts