His family own an apple orchard and packhouse, Thomas Brothers, which was filled with about 30cm of mud today after a nearby stream flooded yesterday.
"It is a small stream but it turned into a massive river. A massive slip up the hill also took out a fence."
They can't get off their property into the town either as the river is still covering the road.
Today would be mostly spent cleaning up the orchard, he said.
Tasman is one of seven areas around the country that have declared a state of emergency because of damage caused by former Cyclone Gita.
Slips, flooding and fallen trees are blocking State Highway 6 between Riwaka and Takaka in the Tasman District. Photo / James Thomas
Motueka, Takaka and Marahau are flooded, and there is significant flooding in the Riwaka Plains.
More than 170 people were in emergency accomodation in Takaka and Motueka after escaping flooding yesterday.
Eighty were escorted home in Takaka on Tuesday night, but 53 spent the night at the Motueka welfare centre.
Another 30 to 40 people spent the night at Upper Takaka Country Club after being trapped by slips on SH60 and the flooded Takaka River, which had burst its banks.
Power was out to Upper Takaka, Kaiteriteri, Riwaka and Marahau.
