Update, 2.30pm, Saturday February 25: As the heavy rain has continued today around Hawke's Bay, Waka Kotahi NZTA is urging road users to expect the unexpected.

"There is the possibility for more silt, debris and slips," says a Waka Kotahi NZTA spokesperson.

For state highway updates at 2.30pm:

SH2 between Wairoa and the Esk Valley turn off CLOSED

SH5 between Napier and Taupō CLOSED

SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Wairoa CLOSED

SH2 south from the Esk Valley turnoff OPEN

SH50 south from Napier OPEN

SH51 south from Napier OPEN

Napier-Taihape Road CLOSED

'As with many of these roads, there will be temporary speed limits and other controls in place, so please, if you're travelling them, drive to the conditions,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's Hawke's Bay/Gisborne Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Jaclyn Hankin.

'We are closely monitoring the network during this weather; and we're aware a number of those roads may have more silt on them, or debris. The heavy rain is falling on already very sodden ground and so there's a very real potential for further hazards.

'Please continue to avoid travel if you can – if you must travel, please drive to the conditions.”

Please note this information can change rapidly – ensure you check the latest weather conditions with MetService, and consult the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner for the most up to date information on road closures.

For those who are unable to access the internet at this stage, please keep tuned to local radio for the latest Civil Defence advice.

Journey Planner is updated 24/7 by Waka Kotahi traffic operations centres and is the best source of the most recent and reliable information available on state highway closures and disruptions. Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure that the latest updates are displayed

Earlier, 12noon: Flooding has closed State Highway 38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Wairoa and State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki and Ormond.

An earlier closure of SH35 between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay has now been lifted and that road is open, however a slip has closed a stretch of SH35 further north near the intersection with Hiruharama Road near Ruatoria.

State Highway update:

SH35 from Te Puia Springs to Tolaga Bay CLOSED

SH35 at Ruatoria, near intersection with Hiruharama Road CLOSED

SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Ormond CLOSED

SH2 between Gisborne south to Wairoa OPEN

SH2 between Wairoa and the Eskdale turn off CLOSED

SH38 between Lake Waikaremoana to Wairoa CLOSED

'The heavy rain has left silt and surface flooding across our Gisborne region on our roads and we're really urging all road users to avoid all unnecessary travel,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's National Journey Manager Helen Harris.

'Roading crews are out doing what they can and as they continue to assess the roads they're finding more and more silt, so please if you are out driving on any roads currently open, drive to the conditions, and expect the unexpected – the possibility of fallen trees, debris, more slips.”

Please note this information can change rapidly – ensure you check the latest weather conditions with MetService, and consult the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner for the most up to date information on road closures.

For those who are unable to access the internet at this stage, please keep tuned to local radio for the latest Civil Defence advice.

Journey Planner is updated 24/7 by Waka Kotahi traffic operations centres and is the best source of the most recent and reliable information available on state highway closures and disruptions. Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure that the latest updates are displayed.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

· Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

• Facebook: facebook.com/nztaakl

• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiAkNth

• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)