Historical emergencies

On Wednesday 23 March, Tairāwhiti Civil Defence declared a state of emergency for the region due to severe weather. The severe weather caused flooding that required evacuations. Also on 23 March, MetService upgraded their Orange Heavy Rain Warning to a Red Heavy Rain Warning for the region. Rain eased over the course of the week.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence declared a local state of emergency at 2pm 04 November 2021 for heavy rain causing flooding in the Tairāwhiti region. This was terminated on the following day.

In 16hrs from 8am this morning 120-180mm in the southern part of Gisborne District.

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred at 20:55 hours on Thursday 20 December approximately 50 km south-east of Gisborne at a depth of approximately 40 km with a number of after shocks. The earthquake caused damage to some buildings and minor disruption to power supply. No deaths or significant injuries occurred. Most damage occurred in the Gisborne City central business district (CBD).

Cyclone Bola (made at 2100 hrs). Re-extended: applied to Poverty Bay, Waikohu County and Waiapu County. DRC appointed on 09.03.88 for 28 days. Reappointed on 01.04 and 01.05 (28 days each time). 3000 people were evacuated at Gisborne and 400 at Te Karaka. 3 deaths. The East Cape and Poverty Bay insurance losses were $3.53m and Gisborne losses $4.58m (both 1991 and excluding EQC)

Cyclone Bola (from 1627 to 2100 hrs)

DRC appointed. About 100 evacuated Declared at 0620 and terminated 1620. Insurance claims excluding EQC totalled $2.7m (1994). Agricultural assistance $0.95m (1991)

Gisborne City flooding