New Zealand: Hawke Bay Council has declared a state of emergency because of the coastal flooding
The Central Hawke Bay District Council has declared a state of emergency because of the severe effects of flooding in coastal communities.
The National Crisis Management Centre at Parliament has also been activated to support the local Civil Defence response and to coordinate government support if it's needed.
National Controller David Coetzee says Hawke's Bay will lead the Civil Defence effort but the centre is on hand as back-up.
Officials in Hawke's Bay are already meeting to discuss the situation regarding the 80 people evacuated from coastal properties at Waimarama, Ocean Beach, Te Awanga and Clifton on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a separate incident overnight in Napier, a large slip on Breakwater Road between Bluff Hill and the port forced the evacuation of 18 homes.
The slip blocked the railway line as well as the road in both directions, and cars are believed to be buried under it.
Building inspectors are being sent to the evacuated homes, and Civil Defence says the Earthquake Commission will supply geotechnical engineers.
The local Civil Defence manager, Angela Reade, says the severity of the threat to houses is unclear at this stage.
Those evacuated have been moved to a temporary welfare centre at Napier Intermediate School.