Source: Radio New Zealand
Pictures and stories coming out of Ōtorohanga tell of the extent of the flooding and hasty evacuations, after a deluge overnight caused waters to rise rapidly in the Waikato district.
The town was put into a State of Emergency in the early hours of Saturday. Houses and buildings have been surrounded by floodwaters and cars have been submerged. About 80 people were evacuated from a camping site, marae and at least two houses overnight.
Ōtorohanga mayor Rodney Dow has spoken of his sadness after a man was found dead in a submerged car at Puketotara on State Highway 39, and urged those affected to be careful and to stay safe.
Many roads and highways are closed, and people in the area have been warned to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Forecasters are calling for people to stay up to date on weather updates, as more wild weather has stamped orange and red weather warnings across much of the North Island, and some of the South Island, with heavy rain and strong wind warnings and watches for many places for Saturday and Sunday.
Flooding in Ōtorohanga, captured by drone from the air, on Saturday. RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
Phillips Avenue, Ōtorohanga. RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
David and Joy Wickham were evacuated from a campervan camping site after water from the nearby river began to rise. They returned to find it underwater today. Supplied/ Joy Wickham
Follow how the events of Saturday unfolded:
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