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6 Apr 2017

Edgecumbe's flood evacuation - in pictures

10:25 pm on 6 April 2017

Floodwaters have surged through the Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe with almost the entire town of 1600 residents evacuated after the Rangitaiki River burst its banks.

The water came through between a third and a half of the town; the other half was dry but still at risk.

Whakatāne Mayor Tony has described the flooding as a one-in-500 year event.

Read a summary of what happened or follow RNZ's live blog for the latest updates as they happen.

A car submerged by the flooding in Edgecumbe. Photo / Brad White.

Floodwaters submerge an Edgecumbe house. Photo / Brad White.

Water flows into Edgecumbe through a breach in the Rangitaiki River stopbank shortly before 9am on Thursday. Photo: Whakatane Beacon

Flooding near shops in Edgecumbe. Photo / Brad White.

Agricultural vehicles are used to help evacuate Edgecumbe people to welfare centres established in Whakatane and Kawerau. Photo: Whakatane Beacon

Flooding at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

A flooded Edgecumbe garage. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

RNZ's Zac Fleming reporting from Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

A truck in floodwaters at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters around Whakatane. Photo: Whakatane Beacon

Whakatane river on Thursday morning. Photo: Facebook / Sophie Foster

Flooded farmland near Whakatane. Photo: Supplied

Bruce Fowl’s farm near Whakatane under floodwaters. Photo: Supplied

House on Bruce Fowl's flooded farm near Whakatane. Photo: Supplied

Flooding in Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Flooding in Edgecumbe on Friday morning. Photo / Brad White

Flooding at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters around Whakatane. Photo: Whakatane Beacon

Flood waters at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Damage caused by flooding at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

RNZ reporter Zac Fleming on a dry strip of land in the middle of the Edgecumbe flood. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Flooding in Edgecumbe. Photo: Twitter / @transparency_a1

The reflection of a child's swing in floodwaters. Photo / Brad White.

Floodwaters in the evacuated Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe are so deep, boats are the only way around. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters flowing at Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters in Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Floodwaters have surged through the Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe, with hundreds of people evacuated and dozens of homes flooded. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Boats are the only way to get around in some places in Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Brad White

Evacuated Edgecumbe couple Brian Simmons and Patience Raki. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

Edgecumbe residents evacuate the town on board a flatdeck truck. Photo: Supplied / Tautini Hahipene

A roadblock at the edge of Edgecumbe. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

The river in flood at Te Teko. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

Floodwaters reached fence-height in Edgecumbe. Photo: Supplied / Tautini Hahipene

Floodwaters course through the streets of Edgecumbe. Photo: Supplied / Tautini Hahipene

Edgecumbe residents wade through flood waters to evacuate the town. Photo: Supplied / Tautini Hahipene

Edgecumbe residents wading through flood waters. Photo: Supplied / Tautini Hahipene

The Pekatahi Bridge over the Whakatane River. Photo / Supplied

Antoinette Spencers in Taneatua on Friday cleaning up after mud and sewerage flooded her home. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

The clean up in Taneatua on Friday. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

Are you affected by the flooding? If it's safe for you to do so, you can email photos and video to RNZ at iwitness@radionz.co.nz. Please include your contact details if you are willing to speak to one of our reporters.