Third state of emergency this year, Red heavy rain warning remains in place until midday Sunday

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Welfare centres are set up around the region as Tairāwhiti remains under a Red heavy rain warning until midday on Sunday, which was reconfirmed by MetService at 12.44pm on Saturday.
"Over the past seven days, parts of the region have seen in excess of 400mm while Gisborne Airport has reported more than 200mm of rain," the official weather agency said in its latest update.
"Sunday is an improving story on the east coast with some drier weather returning."
The MetService Severe Weather Warning update valid from 9am Saturday to 12pm Sunday is for further periods of rain, heavy at times, especially today and tonight.
"Expect 80 to 120mm of rain to accumulate from Tolaga Bay northwards, 60 to 80mm of rain about the ranges farther south, and 30 to 50mm of rain about coastal areas south of Tolaga Bay. This is in addition to what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/h."

Extra staff were arriving from around the country yesterday afternoon to bolster the numbers for a regional response, from the Police, St John, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Te Whatu Ora.

Landslides had already started to affect properties in the Whataupoko area, said Gisborne District Council principal scientist Murry Cave.

“We do expect to see more land movement over the next few days.

“If you see signs of land movement on or near your property, please call the council.”

Signs include retaining walls leaning over, gaps behind retaining walls, doors sticking, creaking noises and land slumping.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller David Wilson said around 30 people had evacuated to welfare centres in town.

“This is the third state of emergency we’ve had this year and the fifth in less than two years.

“We know our community is resilient, but please let us know if you need any assistance.

“Please take care if you’re driving. We are asking people to delay unnecessary travel as roads are very fragile.”

Mr Wilson says the key messages are:

• Have enough kai and medicine for three days if you’re in an area that can be isolated

• The Red weather warning is in place until noon Sunday

• Please delay unnecessary travel – the roads are fragile.

•  River levels are being closely monitored and are updated every half an hour on the council’s website.

• If you live close to a river and you’re concerned, do not wait for an official evacuation notice

• Welfare centres are Te Poho o Rawiri, House of Breakthrough, Ohako Marae (Manutuke), Mangatu Marae (Whatatutu), and Te Karaka Area School

• Check Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Facebook page for updates.

• People wishing to sign up to receive flood alerts can do so through the GDC website

• Please report any damage by filing a request for service by using the GDC FIX app on any smartphone, calling on 0800 653 800, email service@gdc.govt.nz or via the eFix service on  the council’s website

Check local roads on council’s website

Check Waka Kotahi for State Highway updates.

The MetService Severe Weather Warning update issued at 9:22am today for the Gisborne Tairawhiti area is:

Valid: 27 hours from 9:00am Sat 24 Jun to 12:00pm Sun 25 Jun

Forecast: Further periods of rain, heavy at times, especially today and tonight.
Expect 80 to 120 mm of rain to accumulate from Tolaga Bay northwards, 60 to 80 mm of rain about the ranges farther south, and 30 to 50 mm of rain about coastal areas south of Tolaga Bay. This is in addition to what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 15 to 20 mm/h.

A MetService update at 12.44pm on Saturday is:

• A Red Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti through to midday Sunday.
• Over the last 7 days, parts of the region have seen in excess of 400mm while Gisborne Airport has reported more than 200mm of rain
• Severe Weather Warnings also remain in place of Hawke’s Bay, south of State Highway 5 and the ranges of Tasman, west of Motueka.
• Sunday is an improving story on the east coast with some drier weather returning.