Heavy rains in the Gisborne area have closed roads and some flood waters have been contaminated by sewage.

Three East Coast families will remain isolated for at least another day after their only road access was washed away by heavy rain yesterday.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads after two cars became stranded in Coromandel floodwaters this morning.

Flooding is worsening on the Coromandel Peninsula, with rain warnings in place across much of the North Island.

Take a look at some photos of the French Riviera after the flash floods hit.

Whakatane District Council has an estimated $3.2 million clean-up bill following last week's flood that left more than 110 houses uninhabitable.

Northland is expected to suffer a deluge tonight while snow and ice pose difficulty for motorists on the roads.

The Bay of Plenty is preparing for more heavy rain as more than 100 water-damaged houses still stand empty.

Rapidly rising floodwaters last night forced Bay of Plenty residents from their homes and trapped motorists.

Heavy rain has caused widespread flooding in Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty with one family trapped in their car having to be rescued by firefighters.

The extent of the damage across flood-stricken Otago is starting to become apparent as swollen rivers recede.

The rain has stopped falling in flood stricken Otago and Hawkes Bay, but the regions face a big, expensive cleanup.

A large landslip swept through a campground where up to 42 people were sleeping in flood-stricken Central Otago early today.

Further flooding is possible for the South Island's sodden Waitaki district, where 1000 people remain without drinking water.