East Coast residents evacuated from their homes north of Tolaga Bay yesterday, will be allowed back to mop up today as the rain that brought flooding yesterday eased overnight.

Anna Holdsworth from Te Karaka and her family were travelling back from Wainui Beach just north of Gisborne yesterday but they were not able to reach their farm because flooding damaged the bridge into the area. Ms Holdsworth says a sharemilker is looking after their property but one of her children is supposed to start school tomorrow and she would like to get home today. She says flooding in the area normally happens once a year.

Richard Steele, emergency services manager for the Gisborne District Council, says all main highways and major roads in the region are open again but it may take a few days to assess the damage. He says the deluge has been particularly inconvenient coming during a long anniversary weekend.

Rocks and slips brought down by excessive rain have closed the Napier Taupo Highway at Waipunga.

The low which brought the heavy rain to eastern areas yesterday will continue to drift away from the country but more is on its way for the North Island, according to WeatherWatch spokesman Philip Duncan.

“Behind (the current weather system) is some more wet weather so you might have to put up with some strong easterlies and some heavy rain although I’m sure that will be very welcome in parts of Northland.”

Mr Duncan says there will be a mixture of rain and showers over northern regions of New Zealand today.

“Some areas should see some good rainfall figures; other areas will see more patchy shower activity. Thunderstorms are very likely across Northland, especially. It’s probably not a drought breaker but I’m sure the rain will be very welcome.”

Nelson, which along with northern parts of New Zealand also marks its anniversary today, will have settled weather.