Storm severs main roads to Gisborne

Dozens of people were evacuated last night after flooding and slips in Hawkes Bay closed all three highways into Gisborne and left many Labour weekend travellers stranded.

Civil Defence units and police evacuated several households in rural valleys north and south of Gisborne as a precaution.

Rain was expected to continue last night, and with a high tide due at 10pm, Civil Defence units in the region were on high alert.

Gisborne was cut off to traffic from the north, between Gisborne and Matawai, and the south between Napier and Gisborne.

The only other main highway leading to Gisborne - SH35 around the East Cape - was closed between Tokomaru Bay and Gisborne.

About 15 households were evacuated in Mangatuna, a valley near Tolaga Bay north of Gisborne, and others from Taurau Valley and Patutahi south of Gisborne.

A civil defence spokeswoman said the Fire Service was unable to reach one family with two young children just north of Tolaga Bay whose house was surrounded by water. She said they planned to move into the loft of their stables and were in radio contact with emergency services.

Tolaga Bay Area School principal Nori Parata said the school was expecting the arrival of travellers forced to turn back on the road to Ruatoria, where many were expected at a 90th birthday party today for a well-known Maori matriarch. She said several homes in Tolaga Bay township were surrounded by water.

With no alternative route, southbound travellers were stuck in Matawai, about midway between Opotiki and Gisborne.

"It's just another rainy day," said a barmaid busy serving travellers stranded at Matawai Hotel. "It's not about not being able to get home, it's about not being able to get to Gisborne for the fun."

Police central communications Inspector Peter Stokes said police were also trying to clear slips and fallen trees on State Highway 5 on the Napier to Taupo road.

In Gisborne, Civil Defence took the rare step of closing the Gladstone Bridge while they worked on logs jamming under it.

MetService duty forecaster Jasmine Kennedy said a further 50mm to 70mm was expected in parts of the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions. The rain and strong winds would gradually ease tomorrow and after that most parts of the country should have "a fabulous Labour weekend", Ms Kennedy said.

- additional reporting NZPA