Gisborne was right in the firing line of ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle on Monday night.
Rain fell in the city overnight, with rivers overflowing throughout the Tairawhiti region, and forestry waste, slash, re-emerging as a result.
Residents in Riverside Road and Graham Road in Gisborne had to evacuate because the Waimata river was rising fast.
People were also asked to restrict non-essential water use because the city's main water supply pipe is broken.
