Heavy rain has eased but the state of emergency remains in place in the Gisborne area after two months' worth of rain fell in 36 hours, causing widespread flooding.

The state of emergency was declared in the area yesterday as heavy rain pounded the region and high tide was due to hit at 6pm.

Several families from the Kaiti and Sponge Bay areas were evacuated and civil defence staff stayed on guard overnight across the Tairāwhiti region.

Inflatable rescue boats were used to help move residents out of from flooded homes.

More rain is forecast, though the heavy rain warning has been lifted and floodwaters were able to drain overnight.

"It's very, very wet, it's raining outside. It slowed down a little bit overnight but we're expecting two more days of rain," Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told First Up.

"We've got a lot of roads damaged, we've got a lot of roads and a state highway that are just one lane, but otherwise we're looking at surface flooding in town at this stage."

Civil Defence reported few calls overnight and Fire and Emergency in the area did not receive any requests for help.