The storm system created by ex-Tropical Cyclone Hale has caused flooding and slips on State Highways in the Coromandel, Napier and Gisborne regions.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management declared a state of local emergency at 10pm on Tuesday.

MetService has heavy rain warnings for Hawke's Bay, the Tararuas and the Eastern hills of Wairarapa for today, as Cyclone Hale passes over the country.

It warns up to 140mm of rain is possible

Thunderstorms with heavy falls are possible inland during the afternoon and evening in Hawke's Bay.

MetService says Gisborne, Coromandel and parts of Northland have had 'exceptional falls” on Tuesday, and the storm is not done with concerns shifting to rising rivers on the East Coast.

Flooding on SH25.

This morning, Northland and Auckland will see low cloud and showers, says the MetService.

It'll also be a wet day in the Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Gisborne, with possible thunderstorms in southern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne from afternoon.

Buffalo Beach.

Latest roading information is below:

Gisborne:

State Highway 35 remains CLOSED between Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria.

There is extensive flooding in the area and this section of the highway is likely to remain closed for some time.

Coromandel:

State Highway 25 (SH25) is CLOSED between Tapu and Te Puru due to a large slip.

SH25 is CLOSED between Hikuai Settlement Road and Tairua due to flooding.

SH25 is reduced to one lane between SH25A and McBeths Road to a slip.

State Highway 25A is CLOSED due to multiple slips.

Napier:

State Highway 2 is closed between Tangoio and Tūtira.

State Highway 5 is reduced to one lane in several places due to slips – the road is passable.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency contractors are out inspecting the network and responding to any slips and fallen trees. There is still significant flooding across the network which is hampering our contractors getting around.

Waka Kotahi is urging motorists to stay off affected roads. If they must travel, they should expect the unexpected and stay alert for unreported hazards.

Further damage could occur on the network, even after rainfall stops, due to saturated ground and unstable slopes.

Drive to the conditions, view the latest weather forecast on the MetService website and check your intended route for hazards or disruptions before setting out using the Waka Kotahi interactive Journey Planner website.

Next update is expected by midday.