The extent of the flooding in Edgecumbe as seen from the air.
Rescuers in jet boats were sent to save people as water surged through Edgecumbe yesterday, engulfing the town after a spectacular stop bank breach.
Ex-Edgecumbe resident Brandon Crowley described dramatic rescues from chest-deep water as he motored through the town's flooded streets by boat.
Edgecumbe remains under police cordon thismorning, its 2000 residents evacuated when a stop bank collapsed on the Rangitaiki River yesterday, swamping the town in a torrent of muddy water.
"We were one of about five jet boats that made their way to the town to do their part to help out," Crowley told Newstalk ZB.