Flood situation update at 12.30pm

About 500 people at Te Karaka north-west of Gisborne are expected to be isolated tonight. The rising Waipaoa River at Te Karaka, which is expected to reach 9.5 metres by this evening, is expected to cut off the 2 access roads into Te Karaka.

Gisborne Police, which is working with Civil Defence and Fire Service personnel, stresses that there is currently no danger to houses or people in the area. However, the advice for residents is that if they wish to get out of the area, they should do so before 4pm.

North of Tolaga Bay, the Mangatuna village, comprising 9 people, was expected to be evacuated before midday. The Hikuwai River reached 10m by mid-morning and was rising.

School children on the Te Karaka side of the Waipaoa River were being bussed back home this morning after a short stint at school. There is no threat to the Waipaoa Bridge.

Civil Defence controller Jon Davies advises people not to drive around the city looking at the flooding.

"This weather system is expected to continue until Wednesday afternoon with further rainfall predicted of 150 - 200mm in that time. Emergency services and Civil Defence are closely monitoring river levels and road closures.

"The expected road closures on either side of Te Karaka could isolate the area tonight and leave it isolated for up to at least 12 hours. As a precautionary measure, we have also evacuated the people from Mangatuna."

Mangatuna has been the victim of past flooding in 2005 and is also where 3 people died in floodwaters during Cyclone Bola.

"The rain is expected to create a number of road closures through slips and flooding and areas of surface flooding over the next few days.

"For Te Karaka workers in town, they may only have until late afternoon to get back to Te Karaka or arrange alternative accommodation."

In the city, while the Taruheru and Waimata rivers continue to remain high, there are no concerns about flooding,

Slips and flooding have closed several roads in the area.

A Civil Defence emergency has not been declared at this stage.

For information on road closures

For information on river levels