The landscape of Waipatiki beach has been dramatically changed after this week's storms.
Multiple large slips damaged the access road to the beachside settlement, north of Napier, but residents have had limited access.
Resident Neil Craigie said his rain gauge recorded more than 400mm since rain began on Monday. The two-day downpour caused major slips, blocking the road in two places.
"The road into the valley has got huge slips on it," Mr Craigie said.
"There's a lot of rocks poised above the road, which doesn't make me feel very comfortable."
Mr Craigie said most homes in the settlement had escaped without damage, but sewage had been overflowing into the creek.
The flooding and high seas had changed the landscape of the beach, leaving just a narrow sandspit at the southern end, he said.
"With another couple of big waves that'll disappear too," he said.
Residents have had intermittent access as farmer Bill Perry used a loader to keep the road cleared. Mr Perry's wife, Ann, said there were "massive slips" down the valley.
Although the road was now open, it would be only one-way in sections until large rocks were moved and drop-outs repaired.
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