In the small settlement of Omahu in Hawkes Bay residents spent yesterday clearing their homes of water logged possessions - everything was dumped outside ready for the army to collect it.
The locals all recounted how quickly everything happened on Tuesday morning - when the Ngaruroro River came up so high it tore through the stop bank protecting the town - forcing them to flee. Now they've returned to take stock of the damage.
Sally Murphy visited Omahu and spoke to Hamoira Sciascia, among others.
