A nearly 200-kilometre stretch of road between Gisborne and Potaka remains closed this morning due to flooding and roads being washed out.
State Highway 35 is the main thoroughfare through the region - its closure leaving some stranded away from home.
A bridge in Tokomaru Bay has been swallowed by the storm - effectively splitting the town into two.
Waka Kotahi national journey manager Helen Harris spoke to Corin Dann.
