Greg Shelton: Tolaga Civil Defence Controller says another bout of downpours are the last thing the area needs

Another bout of heavy rain is set to hamper recovery efforts in the Gisborne District. The region remains in a state of emergency with 21 local roads still closed and another 23 only open to four wheel drive vehicles. Civil Defence officials will decide today whether to extend that state of emergency, with more heavy rain forecast from tomorrow afternoon until early Thursday morning. Tolaga Civil Defence Controller Greg Shelton told Tim Dower another bout of downpours are the last thing the area needs right now. He says there's water, silt, logs and debris all over the place, and the clean-up is going to be a long drawn-out process. Residents are being urged to stock up on supplies, and stay off and out of the water. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.