Rain is falling in Tai Rāwhiti as the region continues to grapple with damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Up to 130 millimetres has been forecast to fall within a 29 hour period, with rain expected to ease from 2am on Saturday.
It comes as the water supply in Gisborne remains at a critically low level, with the main pipe broken in seven different places.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz spoke to Guyon Espiner.