Civil Defence teams went door to door through a Tairawhiti settlement last night asking residents to leave as flood waters threatened the area.
Mangatuna,a small settlement an hour north of Gisborne was ordered to evacuate at about 2am as the Hikuwai River, which runs along side the settlement was at a very high level, and more rain was expected.
Flooding has closed State Highway 35 from Gisborne to Opotiki. There are also multiple slips in Tolaga Bay Gorge and surface flooding throughout the region.
People are being asked to stay off the Coast road and some parts are limited to four wheel drive only.
There is localised flooding on Arthur Street in Tokomaru Bay and one household evacuated from Anaura Bay.
Gisborne Civil Defence manager Ben Green spoke to Susie Ferguson.
