Favourable forecast as road repairs continue

RIVERS DROPPING: River levels across the region have been steadily going down as the rain has fallen away in the past 24 hours. But the spread of flooding from waterways during the height of the event remains clear to see, as in this picture of part of the Poverty Bay Flats. Picture by Dr Murry Cave

The state of civil defence emergency for Tairāwhiti will be reviewed later today as the weather eases back to a few showers forecast for the next few days.

MetService predicts showers today, becoming isolated tonight.

The forecast shows possible early and late showers tomorrow, a few more showers on Saturday with southerlies dying out, a partly cloudy Sunday with light winds and, fine weather on Monday and Tuesday.

Almost all of Gisborne District Council's rain gauges across Tairāwhiti recorded no more than five to six millimetres in the 24 hours to 9am today, and some almost none at all.

The only gauges showing any appreciable falls were at Wharerata (18mm), Arowhana, Puketoto and Tutamoe (11mm) and Wakaroa 16mm.

“Access is opening up all over the region, making it easier for people to move around,” a council spokeswoman said this morning.“River levels are receding across the region.”

The council website still showed around 50 rural roads as “closed” this morning but more than 30 were open for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The highway network remains open apart from the section between Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia Springs.

“Work continues on the bridge at Tokomaru Bay,” the council spokeswoman said.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has given no further update on the works being done on the Mangahauini River bridge.

Work continues at Tiniroto Road.

“A track has been cut through for residents only in 4x4 vehicles. It is about making it safer for the community,” the council spokeswoman said.

“Contractors were back at work on the damaged site on the Waimata Valley Road this morning, which is still closed to all but residents in 4x4s.”

The state of emergency declared a week ago was still in play but would be reviewed later today.

“Keep an eye on roading updates on the council website and for state highways, please check Waka Kotahi website.”

* The city's wastewater system remains at maximum capacity and the emergency sewer valves into the rivers are still open a week after the heavy rain.

The valves were opened to release pressure on the wastewater system, with large amounts of rainwater draining from residential properties.

“Opening the valves prevents sewage overflowing back into homes and on to roads, causing a significant potential health risk on properties in the city,” a council spokesman said.

“Contact with the waterways is likely to pose a risk to health and the public should continue to avoid contact with floodwaters if they can. Assume it's contaminated.”

Temporary warning signs have been installed at swimming and recreation sites.

“We advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers and beaches until at least five days after the valves are closed and warning signs are removed.

“We will notify the public when the discharge has stopped.”