Many of the paddocks of the flats have become ponds while some roads have become streams.
The main roads affected are Pilmer, Tucker, Harper, Jackson and the Snowsill-Back Ormond area.
A farmer living along Tucker Road said in the 10 years that he had been living in the area, he had never seen water sitting around his house like it was today.
Many farmers were out on the roads this morning moving stock and feed.
Stormwater and effluent were released into the city rivers after the heavy rain last night.The city’s emergency sewer valves were opened at 8.30pm, the third time in a week.
A Gisborne District Council spokesperson said the wastewater network was flooded with large volumes of rainwater from residential properties.
To prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes and on to roads, the emergency sewer valves at Gladstone Road, Peel Street, Owen/Seymour Road and Fitzherbert Street were opened.
The discharge is dilute but contact with the waterways could be a risk to health.
Temporary warning signs are already in place.
GDC advises no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers and beaches until at least five days after it has stopped raining, and warning signs are removed.
Ten schools and kindergartens were closed this morning as access from rural areas kept students and teachers home.Rural school buses were advised not to run and Te Karaka Area School was completely cut off by floodwaters from the swollen Waiapoa River.
Other affected schools included Te Wharau School, Ilminster Intermediate, Ormond School, Makauri School, Ormond Kindergarten, Makauri Kindergarten and Paikea Kindergarten.
Gisborne Riding for the Disabled was also closed.
