Severe weather has forced evacuations, triggered rescues and caused widespread disruption across the upper North Island as heavy rain and strong winds battered communities overnight. 

Multiple areas remain in states of emergency as rescue teams evacuate residents by boat and land, and respond to reports of homes damaged by slips. 

Floodwaters have cut off access to towns, closed key highways, and left thousands without power as conditions slowly ease, but not without leaving hazards behind after days of heavy rain. 

As daylight emerged, so did photographs showing the devastation left behind. 

Slip hits Mount Maunganui camp 

A witness has described seeing a caravan tossed into a pool and widespread damage after a “massive” landslide destroyed parts of the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, with several people now unaccounted for. 

Police have confirmed emergency services are trying to find several people who may be buried. 

A Mt Maunganui campsite suffered a slip. 

Emergency services searching for people after a slip at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. 

A large-scale emergency operation is underway at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park following a large landslide, with reports multiple people are unaccounted for. Photo / Cameron Avery 

Several rescued from rooftop near Te Araroa 

There was a scene of devastation at Punaruku near Te Araroa this morning. 

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• Signs of life - then silence: Missing people heard yelling from rubble at Mount Maunganui after collapse
• "Lot of urgency": Intense emergency response as slip hits Mount Maunganui campsite

Several people were rescued from a rooftop there as floodwaters surrounded a home. 

Damage at Te Araroa this morning. Photo / Tairawhiti - Fire and Emergency NZ Facebook page 

Vast flooding in Tirohia 

Murky floodwaters are nearing homes in Tirohia, near Paeroa. 

Tirohia, near Paeroa, has been inundated. Photo / Jason Dorday 

Storm damage at Punaruku Bridge 

Storm damage at Punaruku Bridge near Tokomaru Bay has tipped trees onto the road and tilted nearby powerlines. 

Storm damage at Punaruku Bridge. Photo / Tairawhiti - Fire and Emergency Facebook page 

Waihī flooding seen from Anthree 

Extensive flooding can be seen from Anthree overlooking the estuary towards Waihī. 

Flooding in Anthenree. 

Tairua local returns home to slip 

Eve Roper was out with her sons helping people with sandbags when they returned home to find a slip at her property on Motuhoa Rd. 

“I’m not sure what happens next,” she told the Herald. 

Eve Roper returned home to find a slip at her property on Motuhoa Rd. Photo / Tom Eley 

Residential flooding after heavy rain in Bay of Plenty 

Fence lines are almost completely underwater and only the tops of shrubs can be seen after flooding in the Bay of Plenty. 

Only the tops of shrubs can be seen after flooding in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Supplied 

Backyard flooding in Whangapoua 

Flooding is rising towards the balcony of a Whangapoua home. 

The balcony of a Whangapoua home is threatened by rising waters. Photo / Jane Phare 

Trees block roads in Mokau 

Russell Rd is closed after wild weather toppled a tree onto the road. 

Russell Rd. Photo / Denise Piper 

Oakura, Northland camping flood 

Tents have been abandoned as flood waters rush through an Oakura campsite. 

Flooding at Oakura.