Dramatic rescue from floodwaters in King Country

Properties in Phillips Ave, Ōtorohanga, surrounded by floodwater. Photo: RNZ A State of Emergency declared at 1am in Ōtorohanga, in the King Country, where people have been forced to evacuate by rising floodwaters, and buildings have been flooded.  It will remain in effect for 7 days.The body of a man has been found in a submerged car at Puketotara on SH39, police sayOrange heavy rain warnings are in place for Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/ Tai Rāwhiti, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Taupō, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti, inland Whanganui and Manawatū and Taihape. By Soumya Bhamidipati of RNZ  An Ōtorohanga resident has described his dramatic and unexpected rescue early this morning, after he awoke to find himself waist-deep in floodwater.