Rotorua Civil Defence say tenants in a block of flats contaminated by sewage in Sunday's flooding are not likely to be able to return for some time.
Photo: Supplied
Torrential rain caused flooding and evacuations in some parts of the city.
Civil Defence Controller Bruce Horne said the flats in Ruihi Street in the centre of the city were flooded, but were also contaminated after damage to the internal sewerage system in the property.
Mr Horne said the tenants, who were moved out on Tuesday, are in alternative accommodation while a clean-up is carried out.
No homes in the city have been red-stickered but a number can't be lived in at this stage due to possible contamination.
Mr Horne said council staff were still assessing the damage and until this was completed the recovery stage could not begin properly.
"Everyday we are learning about people across the district who have been affected and haven't come forward."
He said Civil Defence had two areas of focus at the moment.
"To get around the community to elicit information so we have got a complete picture and know exactly what we are dealing with."
The second area of focus was ongoing support for people who have been affected.
He said that earlier in the week council staff were looking at a property and noticed the neighbours with problems.
"They just didn't know who to turn to as they had not lived in New Zealand for long and English was their second language."