Pain and devastation is gripping Auckland's west coast after landslides caused by Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed homes with people trapped inside.
It's been confirmed two homes collapsed in Muriwai overnight, one of which trapped two firefighters.
An urgent search and rescue operation for one of the firefighters was suspended due to the dangerous environment, while another is in hospital in critical condition.
More than 200 people have been evacuated from their homes in Muriwai since the early hours of the morning.
One resident, Gerry, told Newshub his nephew's house was one of the properties caught in the landslip.
"[It was] a huge slip coming down the back of the house which took the house out," he said.
"They've lost everything - [a] young family," Gerry said, struggling to hold back tears.
While the rain started to ease in Muriwai overnight, that was when the devastating winds picked up, Gerry said.
Other emotional locals told Newshub they were "shaken up".
"Everyone's doing OK.. I think we're just waiting for the all-clear to go back to our homes," resident said.
"[I] think we had 12 people in our house last night that had to get out of their homes," said another. "Three of them were trying to clear the water from behind their house, then heard a tree crack and got out - and they were one of the first people who lost their house.
"Apparently two houses are gone but... I know that people's garages are gone as well."
Speaking from Muriwai, AM reporter Perry Wilton said some driveways resembled waterfalls after the heavy rain.
A cordon was in place around the search and rescue area for the unaccounted-for firefighter, Wilton said.
The firefighters were inspecting a flooded home when the property behind them collapsed, he said.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Fire and Emergency New Zealand's chief executive Kerry Gregory said there were serious concerns for the unaccounted-for firefighter's welfare.
"This morning, our firefighters will be back out there again… doing a geotechnical assessment of the area to ensure it's safe and progressing with a search for the other trapped firefighter in there, but we do have grave concerns for the safety of that firefighter."
Earlier on Tuesday morning, a national state of emergency was declared as Cyclone Gabrielle continues to cut off North Island communities and cause widespread evacuations.
Newshub.
