Homes evacuated in Omokoroa as further slips create havoc

Omokoroa resident Liz McKeown stands at the top of a slip that occured at the end of her garden. Photo/John Borren

Residents in other parts of the Bay of Plenty are also being evacuated after large slips overnight.

Omokoroa residents have joined locals from Edgecumbe in fleeing their homes for safety today.

Bramley Dr resident Liz McKeown said about four houses down from her, there had been another major slip and the people in the affected homes were being evacuated.

"There's a shed teetering on the edge of a cliff. There are two houses that are going to have to be evacuated because it's affected their sewer pipe."

Ms McKeown said it had been a nervous night for her, but she was lucky as the slip at her property had been minor compared to the one today. She was on a separate sewer line so was unaffected in this way.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council communications adviser Corrie Taylor said there had been a number of other slips in addition to Bramley Dr, including one in McDonnell St that has affected two properties.

Ms Taylor said the sewer line has broken and both properties have lost access to wastewater services.

Council staff were discussing self-evacuation with the property owners until these services could be restored. Geotechnical engineers were assessing the site this morning.

Further slips have been reported at Hamurana Rd, Ruamoana Place and near Crapp Reserve. These are understood to not be severe and staff will be fully assessing them today. One resident has self-evacuated. The Omokoroa Walkway is also being fenced off until staff can properly assess the area.

Yesterday afternoon's slip at Bramley Drive was not in the same location as the major slip on Bramley in 2011.

There have been several temporary road closures in place across the district and contractors were working to resolve these as soon as possible.

Ms Taylor said ground conditions across the district were saturated and it was possible further slips could occur in the next few days. People can report an issue any time by phoning Council on 0800 926 732.

Current road closures:
•Waitao Rd - slip blocking one lane
•Te Puke Quarry Rd - flooding
•Harbour View Rd, Omokoroa - slip blocking road
•Kaiate Falls Rd - slip blocking road
•Rocky Cutting Rd - slip blocking road
•Te Puna Station Rd - fallen tree and slip blocking road
•Otamarakau Valley Rd - slip blocking road
•Stockton Rd - slip blocking road
•Roydon Downs near Mystery Valley - slip blocking road
•MacDougal Quarry Rd - fallen tree and slip blocking road
•Maungarangi Road - slip blocking road
•Reid Road - tree down blocking road.