MEDIA RELEASE
Date/Time: Update 8
4 June 2018, 9pm

Gisborne Civil Defence monitoring rivers, rainfall overnight

Tairawhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management and Gisborne District Council’s flood warning team will continue to monitor river levels and rainfall in the district overnight.

Wigan bridge, Tauwhareparae Road Tolaga Bay

Heavy rain bands across the district later this afternoon saw the Hikuwai River north of Tolaga Bay rise abruptly again to 6.4 metres, about four metres above its average flow.

Emergency manager Louise Bennett said this evening a weather watch was in place for the district between 9pm tonight until 1pm Tuesday.

“The Met Service duty manager said the heaviest bands will come over between 6am and midday tomorrow, Tuesday. Periods of heavy rain are expected with possible thunderstorms.

“Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially during Tuesday morning. While we normally don’t put out watches, the areas are sodden and even a small amount of rain may cause issues especially around the Uawa area.”

The family rescued from the roof of their home in the Mangatokerau Valley this morning were tonight safe and comfortable with whanau at Tolaga Bay.

“They have conveyed their extreme thanks to all the people involved in their rescue from the ECT rescue helicopter to the Uawa Community Link and Tairawhiti Civil Defence team.”

State Highway 35 is open to traffic after being closed for several hours today. The Paroa and Mangatokerau roads at Tolaga Bay remain closed until at least 5pm Wednesday. Other roads closed are Pa Road, Waiomoko, Arakihi, Kiore Road, Anaura Bay, Kaiaua, Waihau Bay, Glenroy and Tauwhareparae. An update on these will be provided at noon tomorrow.

Up to 30 properties were tonight without power and phones in the area west of Tolaga Bay.

Road contractors are meeting at 5am tomorrow morning to talk through their plans from first light.

Tairawhiti Roads journey manager Helen Harris said eight bridges in the area were of particular concern.

“All truckies in the area have been notified and the forestry companies have bene asked to stay off the roads as much as possible.”
Check the NZTA and Gisborne District Council websites for road closure updates.

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