Hawke's Bay

Rural Support Trust has fears for people still unaccounted for in flood-affected rural Hawke's Bay communities, where communication and access is still a major challenge.

In Napier the prospect of the power being off for several more days is starting to settle in - with many heading south to Hastings where power is back on. Audio

Heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything are emerging as the devastation Cyclone Gabrielle brought upon Hawke's Bay becomes clearer.

Growers are pleading with the government for a recovery package after Cyclone Gabrielle turned vast swathes of fertile land into pulp.

"Come on girls, come here," Kylie McIntyre urgently calls. In the foreground a herd of cows fights against the current, focused on her voice.

Napier residents are angry at how long it has taken to restore power, internet and cellphone reception.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence says its priority for Thursday is establishing contact with communities that have been isolated since Cyclone Gabrielle hit the region. Audio

A lines company says power may be out to some of Napier for two weeks but not for most people. Audio

Helicopter crews in Hawke's Bay are flying generators that will be used to reboot cellphone towers into remote locations.

A woman is still missing in Hawke's Bay after the Eskdale property she was housesitting was suddenly inundated with floodwaters early on Tuesday morning. Audio

Helicopters are being brought in from as far away as Otago to assist in the rescues of people stranded by Cyclone Gabrielle.

There is widespread damage to farms across the North Island with those in parts of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay particularly hard hit and forestry slash is once again being blamed for some flooding.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says he would not be surprised if the death toll in Hawke's Bay rises in the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle.

Cyclone Gabrielle has severely impacted electricity supply and communications in parts of the North Island as it now heads southeast. Check how the situation is unfolding in your region. Audio

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says the Defence Force is working to get food and water to Wairoa in Hawke's Bay. Audio

One of the rescued orchard workers in Hawke's Bay filmed the moment a helicopter plucked them to safety.

A Hastings helicopter pilot has described the mad dash to rescue people trapped on roofs across the Hawke's Bay as Cyclone Gabrielle caused rivers to burst, completely submerging some homes.

Wairoa is completely cut off overnight and only has one day worth of food and enough drinking water for two days, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence says.

"We're wet, it's raining," Pakowhai's Kevin McCormack says. "I've never seen anything like it." Audio