State of emergency declared as storms batter East Coast

The wild weather comes only a year and a half after Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary flooding event left the region largely cut off.

In a statement on Facebook, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says ensuring people are safe is the priority for the region’s district council.

“Around 90 people have been evacuated from Kopu Road and McLean Street to the War Memorial Hall evacuation and with whānau, with additional facilities also on standby throughout the district,” Little says.

“A helicopter has been deployed to check on hard to reach properties and people.”

According to MetService the region was initially forecast to receive 150 to 180 mm of rain inland, and 80 to 120 mm of rain about the coast between 9am Tuesday 25 June and 9pm Wednesday 26 June.

However, the rainfall has been greater than forecasted.

River levels are expected to continue to increase today with rain expected to continue and back country rain from the Hangaroa and Ruakituri still flowing down the riverways.

Little is encouraging people to stay home, if possible, to take pressure off the roads.

SH 2 south to Hawke’s Bay and SH38 have been closed due to flooding and the Wairoa Bridge is also being monitored.

Little urges those in the region to remain vigilant and watchful, adding that if they feel in danger, people should evacuate if it is safe to do so or dial 111.

“Please stay calm, we are doing everything we can to protect our people and have involved as many services as possible to help,” he says.

Gisborne District Council is also encouraging those in the region to delay any unnecessary travel.

Gisborne District Mayor Rehette Stoltz says there are a lot of trees down across the district and some surface flooding in some areas.

“We’re asking everyone to please delay all unnecessary travel. Our contractors have been out since first light to assess the damage and clean up what they can, but it could take a while,” she says.

While evacuations have taken place in Tairawhiti, a state emergency has not been declared for the region.

“However, we’re thinking of our neighbours in Wairoa who declared one this morning,” Stoltz says.

Evacuation Centres in Gisborne have been opened at Te Poho o Rāwiri Marae and the House of Breakthrough.