Flying from Waipawa in a helicopter the destruction from the storm that hit costal Hawkes Bay is pretty bad in some areas. Spent the day doing aerial shots for NZPA. Images of the damage are here.

First settlement visited was Kairakau Beach where half the camping ground was washed away, the sandy beach was buried under logs and debris, and flooding has washed silt through the surrounding properties.

Toilets at the Kairakau Camping Ground, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Friday , April 29, 2011. Credit: NZPA / Kerry Marshall

Remains of a caravan washed away in the flood on Kairakau beach, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Friday , April 29, 2011. Credit: NZPA / Kerry Marshall

Flying south there were hills, paddocks, roads, and structures badly damaged.

Flying to photograph damage to property and roads following landslides and floods, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Friday , April 29, 2011. Credit: NZPA / Kerry Marshall

Flood and landslide damage, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Friday , April 29, 2011. Credit: NZPA / Kerry Marshall

Houses at Pourerere Beach suffered from flooding and landslides and the historic woolshed at Aramoana was hit by a large landslide severly damaging it.

Damage to the Aramoana Woolshed from a landslide, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Friday , April 29, 2011. Credit: NZPA / Kerry Marshall