Edgecumbe flooding: As seen from space

A satellite image of Edgecumbe taken on April 6, after the floods. Photo / Planet Labs

Satellite images have offered a dramatic perspective of Edgecumbe before and after the Bay of Plenty town was swamped by flooding last Thursday.

The images were collected by Planet Labs, the operator of the world's largest fleet of satellites, and show contrasting pictures between March 20; the day the floods hit the town on April 6; and April 8, when floodwaters that broke through a Rangtitaki River stopbank had slightly receded.

The township, along with the rest of much of the North Island, is bracing for another major deluge later today, which is expected to dump up to 250mm of water in an area between the Bay of Plenty and Taupo.

Edgecumbe as seen on March 20. Photo / Planet Labs

At this stage all Whakatane River stopbanks were secure and being monitored.

If there was a need for further evacuations because of the weather warnings will be issued as soon as possible.

Edgecumbe on April 8. Photo / Planet Labs

Edgecumbe residents would be alerted to any evacuations by fire station sirens sounding continuously and by emergency services vehicles driving around with sirens on.

Whakatane District residents were urged to remain prepared with Cyclone Cook looking set to hit the district around midnight.