Yahoo Xtra News Headline; says:Houses were evacuated and schools and businesses closed today as torrential downpours caused severe flooding in parts of Hawke's Bay. A Ministry of Education spokesman said eight schools in Hawke's Bay were closed due to flooding. Maraekakaho School west of Hastings and Puketapu School west of Napier were the worst affected with water rushing through classrooms at one stage at Maraekakaho and school grounds left under water at Puketapu.
The Hastings suburb of Flaxmere was the worst of the urban areas to be affected with businesses and public centres such as the local library and swimming pool complex forced to close because of flooding.Civil Defence emergency management controller for Hastings district, Mike Maguire, this afternoon said the rain had eased and some facilities re-opened but the flooding had caused lingering problems.
Drivers are being asked to drive carefully especially on the main highways. There are slips and some surface flooding on a number of roads and drivers should take care. We are asking people to minimise any non-essential travel,'' he said.
