Flooding near Te Karaka on 22 June 2023. Photo: Supplied by Matawhero Lloyd
Tai Rāwhiti residents are on edge as a state of emergency is in place again after being battered by heavy rain, with more expected tonight and over the weekend.
A severe red weather warning the highest possible level is in place until Sunday.
The inland community of Te Karaka has been hardest hit, where the Waipaoa river has burst its banks, and huge slips have been reported.
Major roads across the region are closed, farms are sodden and slip prone, and some schools are closed.
The advice across Tai Rāwhiti is stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Kathryn hears from Toby Williams, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chairperson who farms at Whangara, between Tolaga Bay and Gisborne, Sandra Faulkner who has a farm in Muriwai, south of Gisborne and is also a Federated Farmers board member, Greg Shelton, Tolaga Bay Civil Defence Manager and Jaclyn Hankin, Waka Kotahi NZTA's regional manager of maintenance and operations for the Central North Island.
