Civil Defence is monitoring major rivers in the Gisborne area as more heavy rain is due in the region still saturated by last week's flooding.
Downpours are forecast for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay today and tomorrow and and severe southeast gales for eastern Bay of Plenty.
The Uawa river in flood at Tolaga Bay a week ago. Photo: Supplied.
Last week's torrential rain shut down 61 bridges, dumped around 1 million tonnes of logging debris over properties, roads and in the Tolaga Bay harbour.
Three people were airlifted from the roof of their house in Tolaga Bay and others were forced to evacuate their homes.
Rainfall of 140mm-220mm and thunderstorms are forecast from this afternoon though to tomorrow afternoon, which could bring flooding and slips.
MetService forecaster Tom Adams said there could be heavy localised rainfall of 15mm-25mm in an hour.
Gisborne District Council civil defence and emergency manager Louise Bennett said the whole Gisborne region would potentially be affected.
"The land is very saturated - and I think the people have had enough of wet weather" - Louise Bennett
They'll be monitoring major rivers - the Hikuwai River to the north of Tolaga Bay and the Waipaoa River which goes through Te Karaka and the flats.
"There's always homes that could be at risk in flooding but we're aware of those and will be making sure those people know what's happening."
Many people who's houses were hit by last week's flooding had left, she said.
"They are cleaning up, but they're living elsewhere."
Community link teams were on standby, and Ms Bennet said people should keep in touch with the Civil Defence and Gisborne District Council Facebook pages or website and listen to media.
MetService is also warning of wind gusts strong enough to damage trees and powerlines in Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane.