The death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand has risen to five as emergency workers survey the destruction from the country’s worst storm this century.

A fifth death was confirmed early on Thursday morning in the Gisborne region, where police believe the person was caught in floodwaters.

A volunteer firefighter was crushed in a collapsing house in Muriwai, in Auckland’s west, and three have died in Hawke’s Bay, where flash flooding took many by surprise.

More than 10,000 people have been dislocated by the cyclone, with thousands spending the night at civil defence centres in hard-hit regions.

Maik Beekmans, an Eskdale resident on holiday during the cyclone, told Radio NZ a woman was still missing after failing to escape rising waters at his property on Tuesday.

His best friend Gareth and his girlfriend had spent three weeks house sitting when they found themselves in the path of the storm.

“They sought refuge on our bench-top in the kitchen and the water kept rising. He smashed his way through the ceiling,” Mr Beekmans said.

“They both managed to get into the ceiling, when the water kept rising into the ceiling space they had to clamour onto the roof.

“As they were trying to make their way onto the roof, only Gareth made it.

“We think he lost his girlfriend that night. She disappeared underwater. She disappeared under the house and she’s been missing and things aren’t looking great.”

A missing persons report has been filed for the woman, with Mr Beekmans stuck in transit in Auckland and unable to get to Napier to surveil his property.

“We don’t know anything. We’re trying to locate our dogs but I’m not holding our breath,” he said.

“The orchard is completely ruined. The house is gone. Sheds, trucks, there’s literally nothing there.”

Already, one fatality has been confirmed in Eskdale – a child who died in floodwaters.

Local media detailed other eyewitness reports of bodies or missing people, which police are yet to confirm.

Police are expected to issue a update later on Thursday, with expectations the death toll will rise further. They hold “grave fears” for several people in Hawke’s Bay.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited Gisborne on Thursday, describing the impact as a “traumatic event”.

“We have been working to understand the impacts on the ground. There’s no doubt this places communities under enormous pressure,” he said.

“We have also seen in the last 24, 48 hours the very best of New Zealand as well.

“We’ve seen communities coming together, wrapping support around each other, looking after each other.”

Transport Minister Michael Wood said, “There’s an immediate focus on those necessities of life where people need them.”

“There’s still a huge amount of work going on today to provide welfare support and make sure people are accounted for,” he told Radio NZ.

“There’s deep concern when we hear those reports (of missing people).”

Frustratingly for many communities, poor weather is set to return on Thursday, with MetService warning of possible hail, thunderstorms and localised downpours that may cause flash flooding.

More than 700 defence force personnel have joined the effort, with 70 police also re-stationing to the eastern regions where concerns are highest.

Food and water drops have taken place in towns that have lost road access, with the navy sending supplies from Auckland by sea.

Opposition MP Shane Reti attempted to help patch up communications, tweeting at SpaceX owner Elon Musk for satellite internet access boxes for remote regions.

Dr Reti successfully nudged Mr Musk to provide satellite communications last year to Tonga after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption last year.

“You heard the call of myself and others and provided Starlink to Tonga in their time of need,” he tweeted.

“The time of need is now in NZ with the worst cyclone in a century. We need bulk shipment of several hundred terminals. Can you assist please.”

– AAP