Rain is pouring down in areas already soggy and devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.

An orange heavy rain warning is in force for Gisborne, with Metservice warning residents to expect 60 to 100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen, before 6am tomorrow.

The top of the East Coast has so far recorded the largest amounts of rain in the region, with Tai Rawhiti Civil Defence saying Waikura Valley, has received 110mm in the 24 hours to 9am, and Ruatoria receiving 74mm in that same period.

There is also a heavy rain watch for the Coromandel Peninsula and the eastern Bay of Plenty, while a thunderstorm watch is also in place for Northland, Auckland and the central North Island.

Tokomaru Bay Civil Defence spokesperson and local resident Lillian Te Hau-Ward spoke to Charlotte Cook