A rumour of more earthquakes to come in Gisborne is sending shock waves through the community, and causing headaches for officials.

An American woman claims to have foreseen the region's 6.8 magnitude quake in December, and believes another is on its way. The psychic predicted a magnitude 8 earthquake for last Wednesday.

Gisborne District Council civil defence officer Richard Steele says when it did not happen, the dates and times started changing. He says a few people have fled in fear and the emergency phone systems have been flooded with calls.