Winds hit 100kmh at Hicks Bay, rain 100mm-plus in hills

Wind gusts of 70 to 100 kilometres an hour battered the district overnight while rain dumps reached 110 millimetres in many higher places.

The top wind gust of 100kmh was recorded at Hicks Bay, which is particularly exposed to the south-east.

Gisborne Airport recorded a gust of 76kmh at around midnight and there was a gust of 96kmh recorded at Tolaga Bay.

The MetService said the strongest winds overnight were in the Bay of Plenty including up to 168kmh on White Island.

“The winds will turn north-easterly during the day in Gisborne,” a forecaster said. “The rain will ease, though our warning for heavy rain runs until 4pm today.”

The heaviest fall of about 200mm in the past 24 hours was recorded in Gisborne District Council’s rain gauge in the Waikura Valley at East Cape.

The higher country rain gauges all showed big falls — Mata 175mm, Pakihiroa 145mm, Puketoro 175mm and Arowhana 134mm.

Fernside had 120mm, Matawai 110mm, Pakarae 120mm, Te Arai 110mm, Te Puia 110mm, Waerenga o kuri 130mm, and Waipaoa at Kanakanaia 110mm.

Gisborne received about 70mm in the past day, Hikuwai at Willowflat 78mm, Mangapoike 78mm, Mangatu 75mm, Pouawa 63mm, Tatapouri 40mm, Waikohu 88mm, Wharekopae 82mm and the Whareratas 85mm.