Whakatane District has experienced widespread damage as a result of the extreme rainfall event generated by tropical storm Debbie.

Specific impacts are as follows:

* The Whakatane and Rangitaiki Rivers have experienced unprecedented 1:500 year flood events. That has seen breaches of stopbanks on both rivers. The Whakatane River level is starting to subside, but the Rangitaiki River is likely to be at or near the present flood level for another 18 hours.

* The river systems have been managed and monitored by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with actions taken as required to address hazards to residents.

* A breach of the stopbank at Edgecumbe has resulted in the declaration of a State of Emergency and an order to evacuate the town. That evacuation is ongoing but priority areas subject to the worst flooding have been evacuated, under police supervision. Edgecumbe has some 500-600 households and a population of about 1600 people.

* A rural area on the western side of the Whakatane River has also been evacuated.

* Emergency Civil Defence Centres have been set up in Whakatane (War Memorial Hall) and Kawerau (Firmin Centre) to accommodate displaced residents. It may be up to 72 hours before people will be able to return to their homes to assess the damage.

* The communities of Taneatua, Ruatoki and Waimana have been cut-off by flooding from the Whakatane River. Residents in Taneatua and Ruatoki self-evacuated to local marae or safe areas overnight. Getting assistance and support to those areas is a priority.

* Taneatua's water supply reservoir is low and residents have been asked to conserve water wherever possible until water treatment operations resume.

* Multiple water, stormwater and wastewater issues have been dealt with during the course of the storm's impact over the past 36 hours. Whakatane's wastewater treatment system is now fully operational.

* Roads have been extensively damaged throughout the district. The latest status report is attached.

* Ruatahuna remains cut off by numerous slips on Ruatahuna Road.

* All available resources have been deployed to reopen roads and provide any assistance residents in affected areas may require.

Further information

* Whakatane District Council Facebook: www.facebook.com/whakatanedistrictcouncil

* Bay of Plenty Emergency Management Civil Defence Facebook: www.facebook.com/bopcivildefence

* Bay of Plenty Regional Council Facebook: www.facebook.com/boprc

* IXX FM: 90.5FM

Key additional messages:

* To report road closures, slips, stormwater and sewerage problems dial the Council on 3060500

* To find the location of welfare centres dial the Council on 3060500 or go on the Council's website at www.whakatane.govt.nz or Facebook page Facebook.com/whakatanedistrictcouncil