Stats from the storm

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne District Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management team have provided a summary of the major river levels and peak rainfalls associated with Monday and Tuesday’s region-wide deluge.

The Hikuwai River peaked at 11.66 metres at 7.20am on Tuesday morning. Before the rain event, the level was at 2.48m.

In the Te Arai River, the peak reached 2.74m at 7.50am on Tuesday, with a pre-event level of 0.57m.

The Waimata River was a spectacular sight as it raced to the sea on Tuesday, with a peak of 7.43m at 7.45am and a pre-event level of 1.46m.

The Waipaoa River peaked at 10.57m at 9.55am on Tuesday, with a level of 2.46m before the storm.

CDEM reports the highest rainfall totals for the 48 hours from 8am on Monday to 8am Wednesday were recorded at Rip 272mm, Waikura 244mm, Puketawa 209mm, Puketoro 199mm, Mata 194mm, Tuatamoe 191mm, Tuahu 189mm, Pakihiroa 175mm, Monowai 157mm and Arowhana 153mm.

The beaches and rivers remain unsafe for swimming, paddling or gathering seafood until Monday.

Another emergency sewage discharge happened on Monday morning and the scours were finally closed at 7.30am yesterday morning.

The council has issued a five-day-long health warning.

“We are still working with residents displaced in Tolaga Bay from last week’s flooding,” said CDEM spokesman Paul Stuart. “Food parcels have been delivered from the Salvation Army to affected people around Tolaga Bay. We are following up on people reported as affected in the flooding that occurred on Tuesday.”

Mr Stuart said recovery manager John Clarke had been working with the welfare manager in relation to both flood events.