Part of a beloved Hawke’s Bay campground close to the famous Cape Kidnappers cliffs is being evacuated due to landslide risk, with permanent residents given 24 hours to pack up everything they own.

The action by Hastings District Council at Clifton Motor Camp’s number one campground has been taken less than a month after a tragic landslide at a campground at Mount Maunganui.

On the morning of January 22, the landslide ploughed through part of Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, leaving six people - two Auckland teenagers, a Swedish tourist, two long-time friends and a Morrinsville teacher - dead.

Hawke’s Bay Today has been sent a letter that went to people at the campground on Thursday.

It says an independent geotechnical report has found a high risk of landslides affecting “much, and possibly all of the campground”.

“Buildings and caravans are located very close to the base of the slope.

“If the slope fails, debris could reach and impact these structures.”

The letter says that the site has experienced land instability in the past and it would likely take millions of dollars of major engineering and drainage works to make it safe.

“Because of the seriousness and immediacy of the risk, Council has advised that all occupants vacate the campground within 24 hours.”

It says it would support long-term residents with this.

Piki Wellwood-King, board member of Clifton Reserve Society, directed all questions to Hastings District Council on Friday morning.

She said 18 people lived at the campground permanently and that residents of the camp are “devastated”.

It’s understood that a second section of the camp, known as Camp 2, was not required to evacuate as at today.

Hawke’s Bay is under a heavy rain watch in the 11 hours from 3pm on Friday to 2am on Saturday.

Periods of heavy rain with a chance of thunderstorms and localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour are possible, especially inland.

Rainfall accumulations may exceed warning criteria in a few locations and further heavy rain is possible from late Sunday, with a moderate chance of MetService upgrading it to a warning.

Hastings District Council has been approached for comment.