Warnings for Gisborne drivers as heavy rain storm set to hit

The umbrellas started to come out on Tuesday afternoon as the first drizzle preceding a MetService orange heavy rain watch over Gisborne set in. Photo / James Pocock

An upgraded rain warning over Gisborne brings with it warnings for drivers as the risk of surface flooding and slips increases.

MetService issued an orange heavy rain warning for Tairāwhiti on Tuesday morning, upgrading its yellow rain watch issued on Monday.

It was expected to last 16 hours – from 4pm Tuesday until 8am Wednesday.

On its website, MetService forecast 80mm to 100mm of rain, with heavy falls especially around Gisborne city and north of it.

Peak intensities of 10mm to 15mm per hour were likely.

There is a low chance of the status being upgraded again to a red warning.

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible,” the MetService warning said.

“Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.”

MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said the rain would not completely clear up as the warning period ended, but it would ease a bit.

“The rainfall will persist into [Wednesday] for most of the day, especially because we will have some easterlies pushing in the moisture from the oceans,” Shiviti told the Gisborne Herald on Tuesday afternoon.

“[It will possibly pick] up in intensity for the afternoon as well, before easing off again later in the night.”

Shiviti said that although a wind watch had not been issued for the region, MetService did expect winds in Gisborne would pick up compared to what was typical.

A maximum temperature of 19C was forecast for Wednesday and 24C for Thursday.

Shiviti said the rain was expected to have cleared from Gisborne by Friday.

“It looks like most of the rain in northern parts of the island will be inland, so probably Bay of Plenty [on Friday]. It looks like Gisborne would be sheltered because of those ranges.”

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence shared MetService’s warning about surface flooding, difficult driving conditions and rapidly rising streams or rivers.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has urged drivers travelling throughout Tairāwhiti to be extra cautious.

An NZTA spokesman said crews were ready to respond to issues such as possible surface flooding.

“It’s really important to drive to the conditions and adjust your speed and following distance when you need to.

“If you are travelling the network, please adhere to any temporary traffic management or speed restrictions that may be in place.”

The spokesman said motorists could keep up to date on any changes to the highway network through the NZTA Journey Planner.

In Northland, where the weather system has already travelled through, power outages, road closures and lightning strikes were reported today.