Four primary schools and a kura are closed in Central Hawke's Bay today and school students attending Waipukurau schools are asked to bring bottled water as a boil water notice is in place for the town and water fountains can't be used.
Water use restrictions are also in place as systems are also having to deal with an influx of storm water.
Landowners and residents are assessing the damage as water levels have dropped in some places, revealing ruined fencing and some stock and machinery losses.
One casualty of the floods that is being widely lamented is the Tukituki Trails Mt Herbert Rd to swingbridge, opened in 2014 by the Rotary River Pathways Trust at a cost of $270,000.
The bridge, which joined the Mt Herbert Rd and Tapairu Rd/Ford Rd Tukituki Trails has become a feature of the walking and cycling trail and been part of several cycling events.
Now, battered by floodwaters and floating debris it is hanging adrift, support poles snapped and large sections missing.