Families still trapped by heavy rain

Three East Coast families will remain trapped for at least another day after their only road access was washed away by heavy rain yesterday but neighbouring Hawke's Bay got away lightly.

Gisborne's Civil Defence controller Jon Davies said that conditions had been bad but could have been a lot worse with a month's rain in the past 48 hours.

"We have got off quite lightly for the amount of rain that has fallen here."

He said seven people in inland Ruatoria have been left isolated after the Mata River washed away their sole road access. The families were safe and still had access to power and telephone communications.

Engineers would today be assessing how to get another access point for the families who could walk out if they wanted to.

The ground was saturated after 300mm of rain and surface flooding was expected for the next few days, Mr Davies said.

In Hawke's Bay, State Highway 2 remains closed between Napier and Wairoa this morning after a slip caused by the heavy rain.

"A couple of rural houses came close to having water go into their house but there has not been much damage reported to us," Mr Davies said.

Heavy rain has turned to showers in the region and is expected to ease today though some areas may still receive a further 100mm on top of what has already fallen.

Metservice is advising motorists to drive with caution due to surface flooding and to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

- NZPA