Civil Defence has declared a state of emergency across the whole Gisborne Tairāwhiti district due to heavy rain, with surface flooding across the area.

Surface flooding around Gisborne has closed off many roads.

Civil Defence declared the local state of emergency at 2pm today.

Civil Defence controller Dave Wilson says surface flooding around the district has closed several roads, and some people at Pouawa and Loisels had evacuated.

"The ground is already saturated, with high tide due at 6pm our rivers are being closely monitored.

"The road situation on both state highways and local roads are changing by the hour. Please drive to the conditions, and only travel if you need to."

He encourages people to contact the council to report any flooding.

"Anyone who is concerned for their safety should stay with friends and whānau. Welfare centres are being established across the district for those with nowhere to go. If people need assistance, please call us."

There have been several road closures, with some down to one lane due to slips. Sponge Bay has surface flooding restricting some access to properties.

A number of private properties in other areas have reported sewage overflowing as wastewater backs up. Some schools up the Coast have closed.

Dave says the systems across the region were not coping with the sheer volume of water.

MetService earlier issued an orange warning for the region, with rain expected to ease after 6pm.

The Gisborne District Council says there has been 220 millimetres of rain since yesterday morning and its team had a busy night monitoring the city's sewerage and stormwater systems.

RNZ