Gisborne and Hawke's Bay are bracing for flooding as heavy rain pounds the east of the North Island.
A severe weather warning has been issued for the two regions last night, with 120-150mm further rainfall for Gisborne from 9am to 3am tomorrow and 140 to 180mm in Hawke's Bay in the 24-hours from 9am today.
The rain is expected to ease tomorrow morning, but another 50-80mm may fall later on Thursday and Friday in both areas.
MetService advised people in these areas are advised to watch out for flooded streams and rivers, slips and hazardous driving conditions.
From midday yesterday until 8am today, Te Puia, near Tokomaru Bay, has already had 139mm of rainfall, Gisborne has had 75.6mm, and Te Pohue, in the hills northwest of Napier, has had 73mm of rainfall.