‘Relentless rain’ causes severe surface flooding, evacuations in Gisborne

Relentless rain that was more intense than during Cyclone Gabrielle has caused severe surface flooding in Mangapapa, Gisborne, forcing families to leave their homes.

“The rain woke, I’m sure, everyone in Gisborne up at 3am. It was rain like we’ve never heard before … it’s absolutely pouring,” Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz told RNZ.

In one hour, between 3am and 4am, the MetService rain gauge at Gisborne airport recorded 23.4mm of rain.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said in a social media update that the rain had caused drains to flood and creeks to rise to about 2 metres and there was “severe surface flooding” for the whole suburb.

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Stoltz said the rain had led to widespread flooding in Mangapapa.

“Fire and Emergency has closed roads from Lytton High School to Winter Street so extensive surface flooding, heavy rain has caused drains to totally flood and creeks to rise two metres,” Stoltz said.

City creeks running through neighbourhoods were overflowing and flooding people’s homes, she said.

Matokitoki Stream, which runs through several neighbourhoods, was of particular concern, she said.

Stoltz urged affected residents to contact local authorities and to leave their homes if concerned for their safety.

Mangapapa residents on Justin St woke up to high levels of water in front of their homes and on the road. Around 4am the water had breached a nearby culvert and crossed into the street, a resident said.

Police were going door to door checking on people on Tuesday morning, advising them over where their evacuation centre was.

Fire and Emergency have closed roads in and around the areas from Lytton High School to Winter St.

“Please keep an eye on water levels and if necessary, evacuate to the House of Breakthrough or relocate with whānau or friends,” Tairāwhiti Civil Defence wrote on Facebook.

“We will update you as more information comes to hand. If you need any help phone our team on 0800 653 800.”

The area is forecast to see further rain on Tuesday, with MetService extending a heavy rain warning about and south of Gisborne City from 6am to 1pm.

The weather forecaster said the city would get a further 30 to 40 mm on top of what has already fallen, with peak intensities of 5 to 10 mm/h.

Further north, another 15 to 25 mm is expected to fall with hourly rainfall rates of up to 15 mm on higher ground.

Since midnight 40mm has been recorded there.

In Hawke’s Bay there have also been reports of surface flooding in parts of the region.

MetService has put the Wairoa District in the Hawke’s Bay under a heavy rain warning from 7am to 2pm on Tuesday.

A further 30 to 40 mm of rain is forecast to fall on top of what has already fallen, especially in the north of the District.

The weather forecaster said peak rainfall rates of 5 to 10 mm/h were likely while there was a possibility of 20 mm/h until 11am on Tuesday.

Rain is forecast to ease towards midday, turning to scattered showers this afternoon.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence has told people there to avoid driving through any floodwaters and to keep off the roads if possible.