The worst weather is still coming for the North Island's East Coast

MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind warnings for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, from today into Wednesday.

Up to 240 millimetres could fall inland, and up to 150 on the coast.

Wind gusts could reach 120 kilometres in exposed places.

Meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon says people need to be careful when out on the roads and near coastal areas today.

She says the large amount of rainfall could cause rivers to rise rapidly, surface flooding and slips.