The regional council says the Matahina Dam was not to blame for flooding in Edgecumbe- but rather a geotechnical failure with the stop bank which failed.
Water flows into Edgecumbe through a breach in the Rangitaiki River stopbank shortly before 9am this morning. Photo: Supplied: Whakatane Beacon
Edgecumbe is still under water and its residents scattered as the Rangataiki river continues to sweep through the town.
It could be up to three days before the 1600 residents are allowed back into their homes with police blocking entrances to the town.
Residents have voiced concern that the dam was not opened early enough to mitigate the flooding risk.
But the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Roger Waugh, who is in charge of controling the floodgates, told Morning Report there wasn't any more that could have been done.
