More than 160 homes and businesses have flood damage in storm-battered eastern Bay of Plenty after torrential rain forced residents to evacuate their homes overnight.
Emergency services were inundated with calls for assistance last night as a record 101mm of rail fell on Whakatane in two hours, flooding roads and leaving many residents seeking refuge at a welfare centre set up at the War Memorial Hall.
"The intensities of the rainfall in the two hour period exceeded those of a one in 100 year flood," said Whakatane District Council chief executive officer Dianne Turner.
"As well as rain, silt and water from flooded streams caused significant problems. It is no wonder our stormwater systems were unable to cope".
Whakatane District Council said 139 people were evacuated to the centre. About 40 stayed overnight, while others were able to stay with friends and family.
The council was not aware how many of those evacuated would be able to return to their homes tonight.
