Gisborne residents may need to evacuate

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Heavy rain is causing streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are possible at this time with driving conditions hazardous. Gisborne residents near Hikuwai River have been urged to prepare for evacuation while farmers have been asked to move their stock to higher ground.

Emergency management for the Tairāwhiti district have shared the following information:
- Residents need to have a plan in case we need to evacuate. Please check on whānau and neighbours.
- If you know you could possibly get cut off, make plans to move now or be prepared with enough supplies for 3 days including medication.
- We recommend campers in exposed coastal areas pack up and move to a safer place or a holiday park.
- If MetService upgrade the orange warning to a red warning, we will temporarily close our summer camping areas.
- All unsealed roads are closed to heavy vehicles at this stage until 8pm Wednesday 11 January. If this period is extended a decision will be made at 11.30am Wednesday.
- Transfer stations are closed until further notice at Tokomaru Bay, Te Araroa, Te Puia and Matawai.
- 180 homes are without power around the Tauwharepare, Ihungia areas. Reports of trees down on power lines.
- First alert flood warnings are issued for Hikuwai River at WillowFlat and Waipaoa River at Kanakanaia.
- All sports grounds are closed, including the Whataupoko mountain bike park tracks.
- Emergency sewer valves have been opened into city’s waterways.

There's a strong wind watch and wave warning - there’s currently 3m waves expected to reach 6m. A further 150mm to 200mm of rain is expected on top of what has already fallen, giving event totals of 250 to 350mm. Peak rates of 15 - 25 mm/h are possible until tonight.

Keep up to date with any changes using the Gisborne District Council website and MetService.