Cyclone Gabrielle: Aerial photos reveal impact of landslides at Muriwai, Piha

New images show the extent of devastation and destruction left behind by landslides in some of Auckland’s most well-known beach settlements.

The aerial images were captured this morning and show just how much the landscape has changed in areas including Muriwai and Piha after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through on Monday night.

In Muriwai, a volunteer firefighter remains missing at the site and officials announced today that a body has been found in the area where rescuers were searching.

“We have not yet identified who this is and will be working with Police to retrieve and identify the body,” Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory said in a statement.

Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard

Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard

A huge chunk of land has come down on to the road below; bringing with it a house and uprooting trees.

The house itself has been totally destroyed.

Only parts of the roof - with a satellite dish still attached - identifies it as what was once a building.

What were the walls have been almost disintegrated, with the debris looking more like matchsticks from above.

The area is believed to be where a volunteer firefighter remains missing after responding to the landslide and flooding incident in Muriwai.

A second firefighter remains in hospital.

Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard

Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard

Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard

Even days after the heavy rains, floodwaters remain - as seen in the latest photos from Piha.

Images there show homes threatened by a massive landslide just behind them. In one photo, at least two properties have been hit by falling chunks of land, dirt and plant material.

Their gated front yards still hold murky floodwaters that still appear quite high.

Other properties show remnants of heavy flooding - soggy and damp-looking front yards.

Cyclone Gabrielle has hit Auckland. Seen from the air Piha Beach. Photo / George Heard