State Highway 35 was closed in a couple of places today as a southerly storm caused surface flooding and other roading issues across the city and district.
The Uawa Tolaga Bay Civil Defence manager told RNZ this evening the severe wind conditions were the worst he had seen in a long time.
Greg Shelton said high winds have downed trees and cut power to a lot of homes, as the region is hammered by the severe weather.
A team of eight would work through the night and be relieved by a fresh group of 10 tomorrow morning, he said.
"At the moment, these are probably the worst conditions, wind wise, I've seen for a long, long time.
"We're expecting a lot of damage from the wind, more than anything.
"I'd say in the morning we're going to be faced with some pretty ugly scenes."
NZTA called on Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay motorists to take extreme care overnight and tomorrow morning.
Heavy rainfall and strong wind warnings remain in place tonight.
Gisborne’s emergency sewer valves were opened this afternoon because of the heavy rain. As a result, raw sewage has been flowing into the city river system.
As of 3.45pm today, SH35 was closed from Anaura Rd to Mata Rd, and between Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay.
NZTA Waka Kotahi reminded drivers to be prepared for short-notice closures in other parts of both regions as the heavy rain continues to fall.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence urged people to stay off the roads as much as possible.
“Driving conditions are hazardous with surface flooding across the region.”
The council has established an emergency centre in Tolaga Bay school and issued a flood warning for nearby Hikuwai River near Willow Flat.
Uawa Civil Defence officer Greg Shelton said the river level was nearing nine metres, but its banks could handle up to 13 metres.
As of late this afternoon, the orange heavy rain warning remained in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and south of Ruatōria to midday tomorrow.
“Expect 140-180mm of rain inland and 100-150mm about the Coast with peak rates of 15-25mm/hr this afternoon and evening,” was the latest from MetService.
The orange strong wind warning is still in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay from Wairoa north, including Mahia Peninsula, until tomorrow morning.
MetService also issued a wave warning for the region, from Mahanga to Potikirua Point.
It anticipated combined waves from the southeast rising to 5-6 metres tonight, easing to 4-5m tomorrow morning and 4m on Thursday morning.
The Gisborne city sewer valves were opened about 2.30pm today.
“The city wastewater system has been flooded with large amounts of rainwater draining into our sewers,” council senior wastewater operations engineer Phillip Dodds said.
“The rain that started at the weekend resulted in the groundwater being very high, and that combined with the heavy rain today meant surface flooding found its way into the sewers.”
Dodds said the valves were opened to prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes and on to roads, causing a significant potential health risk.
“Contact with the waterways is likely to pose a risk to health.
“We have notified the Hauora Tairāwhiti Medical Officer of Health, water users and sports groups, and temporary warning signs will be installed at swimming and recreation sites.
“We advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers and beaches until at least five days after the valves are closed and warning signs are removed.”
Dodds said the council would notify the community once the discharge had stopped.
No further roading updates were available late this afternoon.
“Please also be prepared for the possibility for surface flooding on other parts of the network,” NZTA said.
“Some areas may be down to one lane as a result or have temporary traffic management in place.
“Keep an eye on the NZTA Journey Planner for any changes when it comes to highway road closures.”
