By Emma Brannam
A major cleanup is underway in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, after more than 300mm of rain fell over the weekend.
Flood water caused slips and road closures and emergency pumps have been brought in from Auckland to help clear water. There will be further work to strengthen a canal off the Whakatane River which breached a bank.
"Our immediate attention is to getting the water off the land that's under at present. We've brought flood pumps in from North island to get that water off but we'll be pumping for the next three days," says Roger Waugh the Bay of Plenty's Regional Council Flood Duty Manager.
Seven families had to be evacuated from their homes, but have since been cleared to return. Their job now is to inspect any damage.
The cleanup could take weeks.
More than 10ha of farmland has been flooded and stock submerged.
"They (the contractors) used railway lines and rock to initially stem the flow and then built it with broken rubble to repair it."
Sock is a big concern for farmers. It’s calving season and it is hoped there hasn’t been too much loss of life.
This is the third flood of the year for the region.
"They should be visiting civil defence websites or reading the inside of their telephone books to make sure they've got three days provision, some batteries for their radio and some drinking water," says Diane Turner CEO of Whakatane District Council.
While the worst seems to be over, there is more wet weather forecast for the week, so it could take a while for the region to dry out.
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