A recovery effort is under way in Edgecumbe after the Rangitaiki River burst through a stopbank and flooded the town. Pumps from across the North Island are expected to arrive in the area and start pumping water out of Edgecumbe and surrounding areas this morning. Police cordons remain in place around the town throughout the day and night, to help keep homes and property safe. Edgecumbe resident John Kearns was putting the finishing touches on his 18-month home renovation when the Rangitaiki River broke its banks and flooded his street. Flood control teams have been working to repair the catastrophic stopbank breach as river levels started dropping.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 07, 2017 20:48 UTC