Raging rivers across Tairāwhiti are prompting multiple warnings.
Civil Defence has issued a fresh flood warning for the Hikuwai River, which is near a peak of just over 12 metres.
Mangatuna residents have been ordered to evacuate, and residents further south in Tolaga Bay could be next.
State Highway 35 between Gisborne and Potaka remains closed due to flooding and washouts - that's a nearly 200 kilometre stretch of road servicing the region.
Gisborne Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller David Wilson spoke to Corin Dann.