Edgecumbe residents were allowed to return to their homes on Tuesday, April 11, to collect belongings and assess damage after floodwaters forced them to evacuate the town on April 6.

Tautini Hahipene, who assisted in the evacuations, recorded footage of his mother-in-law’s flood-damaged home. In the footage, writing can be seen on the front door, warning against entering the property.

According to stuff.co.nz parts of the town were seriously damaged and the streets were left littered by debris after a retaining wall broke following heavy rainfall.

On April 11, the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management warned the Bay of Plenty could expect more heavy rainfall.