In the words of its Mayor Craig Little, Cyclone Gabrielle is the "most catastrophic weather event to hit Wairoa in living memory".
The northern Hawke's Bay town is completely cut off, and communication channels have been down since Monday.
Getting into or out of Wairoa by land is impossible. Bridges have been washed away and roads have been flooded.
A Defence Force flight showing a truck - stranded - with a river running under the road, which is normally bushland.
The river broke its banks, engulfing homes and businesses.
The effects are worse than Cyclone Bola, which sliced the town in two for years.
Communication is almost impossible - there's no internet - and power was only restored to some today.
The Mayor was only able to send out written statements.
"We are in a bad way [up here in Wairoa]. We are strong but this is really devastating for a lot of people," Little said.
"We are desperately in need of assistance."
He says "hundreds of people have been evacuated, mostly from properties surrounding the river catchment."
And they're "severely challenged, particularly around food, water supply, fuel and communications".
"Uncertainty causes anxiety and concern," said Civil Defence Minister Kieran McAnulty.
"But we still don't have a full grasp of the situation there because we want to have people on the ground."
The Defence Force delivered critical supplies, including equipment to help with the water supply.
"There are two evacuation centres; the war memorial hall, and the presbyterian hall. Wairoa College is there as a backup as well," McAnulty continued.
Local Abbie Taylor lives in Mahanga, about 50kms away.
"I've got whanau in Wairoa and I don't know if they're okay," she told Newshub. "We're absolutely fine, we're safe.
"All our houses and structures are fine, it's now supplies.
"I think we've probably got - in terms of shops - there's probably a day's supply. My understanding is that Mahia Beach is mostly out of stuff.
"We've switched on a big chiller here in our garage so people are bringing food. We just don't have any idea when the power will come back on."
It's an anxious wait for loved ones. And an uncertain time ahead for those in Wairoa.
