NZT 22 Feb, (UKT 21 Feb) Robert Deutsch, who predicted accurately how devastating cyclone Gabrielle would be days in advance, warns in this report that it is going to rain so heavily in the Hastings-Napier region over the coming 5 days that people are advised to leave.

There may be another mud flood event he says and this warning should be taken seriously.

He said he has seen the news reporting that 50mm of rain is expected, when it is apparent it will be over 100mm in some areas and even over 200mm further inland. The very high volume expected to fall inland, will naturally run into streams and rivers that feed into the already hard-hit region.

I found a NZHerald report dated 21st of Feb, titled: Cyclone Gabrielle: Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay in for more rain, MetService warns which states: “MetService urges people to watch coming forecasts with heavy falls…