Photo: Unsplash / Daoudi Aissa
Evacuations are under way in parts of Tai Rāwhiti and Hawke's Bay, with police going door to door, as heavy rain and wind continue to lash the areas.
Te Karaka, 30km from Gisborne, may be cut off, and a State of Emergency was declared in Haumoana due to coastal inundation.
State of Emergency
Mayor Craig Little has declared a local state of emergency in Wairoa due to the potential risk to lives and properties.
The Wairoa River rose overnight beyond predictions and reached a five-year flood level causing some localised flooding.
A state of emergency was declared at 4.45am on Wednesday in the Heretaunga Ward of the Hastings District due to coastal inundation in Haumoana.
Road closures
NZTA/Waka Kotahi is warning that due to flooding, slips and potholes, caution is advised in the Hawke's Bay area.
SH2 is closed between Mitchell Road and Kiwi Valley Road, there are slips on the section between Tangoio to Tutira, and at Mohaka Viaduct, Raupunga it is down to one land due to a slip.
SH35 in Tai Rāwhiti is closed from Te Araroa to Tikitiki and Okitu to Tolaga Bay.
Evacuation centres
The Wairoa War Memorial Hall was open for evacuees.
Haumoana School Hall was open for evacuees. A second evacuation centre has been set up at the Flaxmere Community Centre.
Te Karaka Area School was open for people who needed it.
Te Poho o Rawiri marae in Kaiti was open for people who needed somewhere to go.
Tai Rāwhiti latest
Police were helping evacuate residents in Te Karaka, near Gisborne. Te Karaka is now cut off.
People in Riverside Road at Kerrs Gate, in lower Graham Road were told to self-evacuate. People in lower Marion Drive and Thompson Street were told to prepare to move.
The Hikuwai River was at 11.5m at 6am, while the Waipaoa River was over 8m at 6.30am.
Forecast
Orange heavy rain and wind warnings were in place for Tai Rāwhiti and Hawke's Bay.
In Tai Rāwhiti it runs until midday but with "further periods of rain or showers are forecast through the remainder of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but intensities and amounts are expected to be much lower", Metservice said.
In Hawke's Bay, the warning runs until 9pm Wednesday with peak intensities of 10 to 15 mm/h. There was a moderate chance of an upgrade to a red warning.
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