Intense rain in Hawkes Bay has caused rivers to burst their banks, leaving people stranded on roofs clinging on for their lives.
The Redclyffe Substation has flooded, knocking power out for most of the region, making communication difficult.
As the sun rose in Hastings, so too did the floodwaters which trapped some orchard workers.
They used mattresses, cars, and even fridges to escape the dangerous torrent.
The orchard workers eventually made it onto the roof of their accommodation.
Where they waited and waited - to be rescued.
"There's just been so many people to rescue, so with the high rivers, the rivers breaching their banks and people being stranded," Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst told Newshub.
Hazlehurst told Newshub she also spoke with another group of orchard workers who were trapped in the same area after they were finally returned to safety.
"The police helicopters have rescued them, they're very very grateful, they are very relieved and they've got smiles on their face and they're very happy," she said.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by flooded roads, ridges and high winds.
"Many people have been cut off and need our assistance, helicopters are trying to rescue people but are being hampered by high winds," FENZ deputy chief executive Steph Rotarangi told Newshub.
Some took matters into their own hands with one man jumping into floodwaters in Esk Valley before being told to get out.
"Get out, get out," one person said.
Residents in the Napier suburb of Taradale were also told to get out on Tuesday morning after the Tūtaekurī River breached its stopbank.
Only utes and an ATV were able to cross flooded roads.
"It's not good. There's a lot of wood and logs over the road. It's quite deep too," the driver of the ATV told Newshub.
A tow truck was the rescue vehicle of choice for some residents from Rowan House in Taradale who were delivered safely to a nearby evacuation centre.
"It's nothing we've seen before, even the elderly have said the same thing in their lifetime," a local cop told Newshub.
Napier and Hastings cut off from each other and have been largely cut off in general.
A video on Facebook showed the Brookfields Bridge washing away as the raging Tūtaekurī River swept through it.
Napier's Mayor said the number of those who have had to be evacuated is still unclear.
"We don't have the exact number. Taradale is a large suburb. We are talking hundreds, potentially thousands [of people]. We have had to stand up additional welfare centres to cope," Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise told Newshub.
Also, a victim of the Tūtaekurī river was the Redclyffe substation believed to be underwater - knocking power out to almost 20,000 people on Tuesday morning.
Transpower said limited power has been restored - but not enough for both Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
"We're in communication with Transpower, they say it could take days. We sincerely hope that's not the case," Wise said.
More help is desperately needed for the region but with no easy way to get it.
