Police are making their way into isolated rural areas on the East Coast to check on motorists stranded by floodwaters.
SH2 north and south of Te Karaka is closed due to flooding. The small town is 30km northwest of Gisborne.
Police say there are some people stranded on the highway between two flooding flashpoints, but they are not in any danger. It is not known how many vehicles have been trapped by floodwaters.
Senior Sergeant Ross Smith said police were making their way to the vehicles and would check on the motorists and evacuate them if necessary.
“At this stage it has stopped raining in the area and it looks like there may be a break in the weather. But we need to check on these people to make sure they are alright and see if the highway is now passable,” Mr Smith said.
The highway will be closed overnight due to the weather conditions and will be reassessed in the morning.
Floodwaters have also risen sharply in Gisborne city, with the northern route linking the city to the East Coast now closed.
A log jam has forced the Gladstone Rd bridge in the central city to close as debris from hill country floodwaters became lodged against the bridge pillars. Local emergency services are working to clear the jam.
There is also significant surface flooding throughout the city and surrounding rural areas.
SH2 between Napier and Wairoa will remain closed overnight due to flooding near the small settlement of Turiroa near Wairoa. The highway will be reassessed in the morning.
Police are urging motorists to drive with extreme care and to avoid travel on the district’s roads if possible.
END
Any media queries to Eastern District Communications Manager Kris McGehan on 027 2223638.