Highway closed near Te Karaka

Gisborne Civil Defence is keeping a close eye on rising river levels at Te Karaka, west of Gisborne late this morning, near where a section of State Highway 2 has been closed by flooding.

The Waipaoa River has been rising at 0.8 metre an hour and is predicted to reach 8m at 11pm. The highway has been closed at the Graham Road turnoff to Te Karaka where over half a metre of floodwaters cover the road.

Rising floodwaters are expected to overtop the highway at Nesbitts Dip, Te Karaka. Evacuation is being considered for Te Karaka residents,

Another 50 to 70mm of rain is expected in the ranges through to 6pm tonight with 20 to 40mm elsewhere.

The Waimata river gauge at Goodwins reached 8.8m by mid-morning. At 9m, Riverside Road floods at Kerr’s. Water has been seen lapping boats near the Anzac Park boat shed. Sand bagging is in progress for one Graham Road, Kaiti resident.

The Hikuwai River north of Tolaga Bay is stable at 8m and may have peaked. SH 35 remains open between Waihau Bay and Tauwhareparae Road, Tolaga Bay.

Both Tolaga Bay and Te Karaka area schools were closed this morning.

Due to heavy rain, contractors late last night opened the discharge valves to release diluted wastewater to the Taruheru, Waimata and Turanganui rivers from the city sewer network. This is to avoid sewage flowing back on to private property.

Check gdc.govt.nz website for road closures.

ENDS

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