“To avoid sewage overflows on private property and out of manholes, we need you to stop unnecessary flushing toilets and bathroom and laundry water use,” Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said.
Less rain fell overnight than was forecast however the sustained rainfall over the past three days has made the saturation levels in our soil very high across the region, he said.
“We’re asking everyone to prepare for more rain to come today and please stay off our roads as they are very fragile.”
Gisborne resident Roger Handford has lived in the area since 1979 and said the continuous rain over the past three-four days marked this out as a major weather event, especially coming after the downpours over the last six months.
When the Herald called, he was in his yard running a pump to try to clear the “lake” surrounding his house and flooding his garage.
“Water is pouring out of the hills and the district is waterlogged, with lakes covering many flatlands,” he said.
He said the latest flooding began with four days of rain from June 16-19.
Then the current falls began on June 21 until today - making eight days of constant rain.
That had “defeated the soil’s ability to soak it up, or for rivers and streams to clear the runoff,” Handford said.
He said Gisborne is now cut off in all directions except heading south to Hawke’s Bay, with the council listing more than 70 roads as weather affected.
That includes the main SH2 link north of Gisborne that will remain closed today due to severe cracking on Otoko Hill with planned traffic convoys now cancelled, civil defence’s Wilson said.
Due to multiple slips discovered this morning SH35 remains closed between Okitu and Ruatoria in the Gisborne district, Waka Kotahi said.
“Once contractors have cleared a fallen tree and some minor slips, some of SH35 can open up,” the transport agency said.
“However, the section between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay will remain closed until water levels drop and the area can be assessed.”
In the Hawke’s Bay, SH50 between Ongaonga and Tikokino has also been closed due to surface flooding from overnight rain.
“The road is expected to be closed for several hours. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and follow diversions,” Waka Kotahi said.
MetService earlier warned weekend rain is expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Slips and floodwaters are likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.
“This event has already seen road closures, landslips, rivers rising to warning level and surface flood disrupting travel through Tairāwhiti/Gisborne,” MetService meteorologist Andrew James said.
“Evacuations have occurred already near rivers which are dangerously high. MetService is monitoring the situation through the weekend, keeping the regional council and public informed of any updates.”
Alongside the Tairawhiti red warning, an orange heavy rain warning is in place for southern Hawke’s Bay, while a yellow heavy rain watch is in place for northern Hawke’s Bay and eastern Marlborough.
The prolonged heavy rain is likely to disrupt travel, making some roads impassable and possibly isolating communities.
Yellow heavy rain watches are also in place throughout the weekend for Coromandel.
Accumulations of rainfall in these areas may approach warning criteria and thunderstorms are possible.
Amateur weather tracker and Gisborne resident Handford said his research had shown that there has only been three years since 1870 that have had more rainfall over the first six months than 2023 - they are 1879, 1894 and 1917.
National forecast for Saturday
Auckland residents will escape the worst of the wild weather today as parts of the city enjoy fine breaks this morning with a top of 17C forecast.
Residents are still warned, however, they will likely need umbrellas and rain jackets as showers become more persistent towards evening today.
There is then expected to be more fine breaks and fewer showers on Sunday for another top of 17C.
Tauranga is under a heavy rain watch with possible thunderstorms until tomorrow as it expects tops of 16C today and Sunday.
Hamilton can expect some showers over the next two days with highs of 16C on both days.
Napier residents will also have to buckle down under a heavy rain warning today with possible heavy falls easing in the evening for a top of 16C today and 17C tomorrow.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain are expected for Wellington across the weekend for tops of 15C today and 16C tomorrow.
Christchurch residents are set for drizzling rain today with a high of 14C before more persistent falls tomorrow with a top of 15C.
Road closures and State of Emergency for Tairāwhiti
At 4.45pm on Thursday, Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz declared a local state of emergency as rivers rose and rain continued to fall across an already sodden region.
It is the third state of emergency the region has had in 2023 and the fifth in less than two years.
This morning the Waka Kotahi transport agency said SH50 at Tikokino in Hawke’s Bay and SH2 from Matawai to Te Karaka just north of Gisborne are closed due to flooding.
SH35 from Okitu to Ruatoria near Gisborne is also closed due to a mix of flooding and slips.
Early on Saturday morning, 485 customers reported being without power in towns, such as Tahanga, Pehiri and Waimaha, Tokomaru to Mata, while parts of the coast are on generators.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Controller David Wilson said there had also been more slips around Whataupoko overnight, and concrete bollards had been installed to stabilise some sections.
“If you’re on a hilly section please check your land and contact us if you notice any cracks, creaking noises, doors sticking in your home or retaining walls leaning,” he said.
River levels are being monitored and updated every half an hour on Council’s website.
“If you live close to a river and you’re concerned, do not wait for an official evacuation notice,” Wilson said.
As of Friday afternoon, about 30 people had evacuated to welfare centres in town.
There are a significant number of landslides across the region and up to 61 local roads ar closed or significantly obstructed.
Residents who live in areas close to a river are urged to not wait for an official evacuation notice if concerned.
Welfare centres in the region are Te Poho o Rawiri, House of Breakthrough, Ohako Marae (Manutuke), Mangatu Marae (Whatatutu), and Te Karaka Area School.
The state of emergency remains in place for seven days.
A year’s rain in less than seven months
As at 2pm yesterday, MetService’s Gisborne Airport weather station had received 990.7mm so far in 2023, just 9.1mm less than its average annual rainfall.
“We’re just shy of six months into 2023 and already several of our weather stations have recorded their annual average rainfall.
“Auckland Airport ticked over 1193mm this morning, 3mm beyond their annual norm, and Whenuapai has had 1270mm against an annual average of 1231mm,” MetService’s James said yesterday.
Napier Airport has had 930mm so far in 2023, considerably more than the 789mm they would get in a typical year.
The sodden soils in the northeast North Island mean the current rain is particularly problematic.
