Gisborne cleans up after floods

A few showers are expected to remain in the Gisborne area today, as residents begin to clean up the damage caused by yesterday's floods.

But a slow-moving low trough over the north of the country means it's possible there will be further rain in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne on Thursday and Friday with possible heavy falls in the ranges, a MetService spokesman said.

Heavy rain is expected from tonight through to tomorrow night in the Wairarapa and Eastern Marlborough.

Strong winds along the Kapiti Coast and Marlborough Sounds are easing this morning, he said.

Aucklanders can expect scattered showers today, with a few heavy and thundery showers and small hail this afternoon and evening - particularly in Eastern areas.

Tomorrow occasional showers will continue with south westerlies dying out and sun forecast for the weekend.

The Gisborne district council is continuing to assess the damage caused by yesterday's floods.

Low-lying homes and basements by the Waipaoa River have been flooded and residents from Te Karaka had to be evacuated overnight.

Some roads including State Highway 2 north of the city and the Gladstone Bridge have been re-opened, while others remain closed.

Civil Defence Emergency Manager Louise Bennett says this morning is about figuring out what they can do next.

Some roads are still closed after flooding caused mayhem in and around Gisborne.

SH38 from Waikaremoana to Frasertown remained closed due to flooding at multiple sites, and SH2 from Wairoa to Ohinepaka was also off-limits.

Some people were be unable to return home last night after floodwaters and sludge closed roads in the area.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said SH2 between Opotiki and Gisborne was open today but drivers were advised to take "extra care" as flooding subsided in the area.

The road from Gisborne to Tolaga Bay was open this morning.

Gisborne Civil Defence controller Peter Higgs said authorities still had to clean up a few sewage spills and remove trees blown over in the wild weather.

He told Radio New Zealand the "odd bit of drizzle" fell overnight but the situation had improved.

"Things are a lot better this morning."

Mr Higgs said several schoolchildren were unable to get home yesterday in the Te Karaka area, northwest of Gisborne.

He said a digger had to remove logs from around the Gladstone Rd bridge, which re-opened about 1am.

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