Wairoa is in desperate need of supplies.

The isolated Hawke's Bay town has been cut off by washed out roads and bridges, and has major power and communications outages.

Hundreds of people had to evacuate and now food, water and fuel supplies are getting low.

Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmore says the situation there is dire and they're assigning crews to help.

LISTEN ABOVE

• Wairoa completely cut off - has only one day's food, Civil Defence says
• Wairoa mayor sends ‘urgent request’ for emergency help for cut off community
• Cyclone Gabrielle: Body found washed up on Hawke's Bay beach