Residents leave home as floodwaters rise

Update at 5.15pm.  Several settlements in the Gisborne district were expected to be isolated by this evening as river levels continued to rise in the district. Up to 80 people are expected to be evacuated from small settlements north of Tolaga Bay as the Hikuwai River is close to overflowing its banks.

Several dozen Te Karaka residents have opted to leave their homes tonight but most of the 500 residents were likely to stay at home in the knowledge that their township could be isolated. The rising Waipaoa River was expected to cut off the 2 access roads into the township later this evening.  

State Highway 35 between Te Araroa and Gisborne is open only to urgent travel, but is closed between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay.
State Highway 2 at Te Karaka currently remains open.

North of Tolaga Bay, the Hikuwai River had reached 11.4 metres by mid-afternoon and about 100 residents at Wharekaka, Paroa and the Mangaheia Flats were in the process of being evacuated.

The Hikuwai overflows its banks at about 12 metres. The area had received about 90mm of rain in the 12 hours to 3pm, and rain continues to fall heavily throughout the district.

Earlier in the day 9 residents from Mangatuna, north of Tolaga Bay were evacuated.

The settlements of Anaura Bay, Nuhiti and Kaiaua - all north of Tolaga Bay - were cut-off due to flooding this afternoon. North of Tokomaru Bay, floodwaters came close to closing State Highway 35.

A warning was issued to residents at Te Karaka this morning but there is no current threat to residents or homes. The river was predicted to reach 9.5 metres by this evening.

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.

River levels throughout the district were also running at a high level around high tide at 12.30pm. The Taruheru River, which runs through the city, overflowed its banks but this poses no threat to the city at this stage. However, one family was evacuated from a city residence next to the Taruheru River and will spend the night in a motel.

Residents living beside the Waimata and Taruheru rivers, who have historically been affected by flooding, were being notified of rising floodwaters this evening. The Waimata River was sitting at just under 7m tonight. If it reaches 10m, about 40 houses could be affected.

Gisborne Police area commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said the situation is under control.  However, he urged people to stay at home and not to go sightseeing.

Emergency services and Civil Defence are closely monitoring river levels and road closures. A Civil Defence emergency has not been declared at this stage.