Builder offers services free to those affected by storm

The Ngaruroro River broke its banks after another heavy downpour in the region yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Self-employed builder Gabe Mossman has been flat tack during the past three days offering his services free to householders affected by the relentless rain.

The Gabe Mossman Construction owner made the offer on a Facebook page entitled "You Made My Day Hawke's Bay".

Mr Mossman was inspired to help people in need after his mother called him in a panic with a house full of kids, and a leaky roof.

The 31-year-old said no one should have to be fearful in their own homes because of the weather conditions.

He has been visiting single mums with sick children doing everything he can to ensure they and their homes are safe and dry.

Gabe Mossman was inspired to help people in need.

He said he had spent nearly 10 hours in the past few days responding to calls for his services.

"People feeling helpless just doesn't sit well with me so if I have an opportunity to help alleviate those fears it's no skin off my nose.

"Some people don't have a son or husband to call on and fighting against Mother Nature can be quite scary."

Wild weather continues to hammer our region

Heavy rain continues to hammer the region, causing road closures, slips and flooding.

A severe weather watch was in place last night with heavy rain expected to continue through to this afternoon.

Weather analyst Philip Duncan said the heaviest rain was slowly easing and sliding northwards into Gisborne.

"It means more pressure on waterways still recovering from Monday's deluge."

But Mr Duncan said the week-long rain event was not over yet.

"We see more rain and showers for eastern New Zealand, caught up in this easterly quarter wind flow, for the next few days."

Despite the deluge, Hawke's Bay was coping well with the heavy rain and rising river levels, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence group manager Ian Macdonald said.

"Most rivers have reached about their five-year return period levels during this event, which generally involves water out of the main channel and on to the normally dry berms.

"A lot of material, including vegetation and silt may have been deposited in these berms," he said.

Tukituki River, at Red Bridge, was still likely to rise another 100-200mm or so, and would stay that high for several hours until all the upper catchments drain.

Mr MacDonald said care needed to be taken round all the major rivers and tributaries. Levels were expected to recede throughout today.

Pakowhai Regional Park, near Hastings, was closed yesterday, in case emergency refuge was needed for cattle grazing the Ngaruroro River berms.

North of Napier, Tutira Regional Park was not formally closed, but there was no access to the park and the camp ground as the lake water level had flooded the causeway.

The Tukituki River continues to rise. Photo / Duncan Brown

"Vehicles can enter the main gate and DOC wildlife reserve parking area, but should not attempt to drive over the causeway while it is in flood," a regional council spokeswoman said. Water levels are expected to be high for about a week.

Council staff would inspect the regional park and access when they could get there.

The road between Napier and Tutira was affected by a number of slips.

Local council staff had been busy clearing minor slips and damage to a number of local roads and this would continue over the next couple of days.

Visitors to both Waitangi and Pekapeka regional parks needed to be cautious of flooding although both parks remained open.

There was a lot of flooding at Waitangi from both rivers and heavy seas.

Water levels in the Pekapeka wetland are high, and up to the boardwalk.

Police urged motorists to take care on roads.

Inspector Dean Clifford said there were multiple slips and trees down on numerous rural roads in the region.

Devils Elbow looking worse for wear after a large boulder slipped on to the road.

"There is also surface flooding in both rural and urban areas.

"There is a lot of wet, unstable ground that could potentially cause problems and road blockages so drivers need to be very careful," Mr Clifford said.