Region's roading network 'still fragile'

A slip blocks Kaiaua Road.

A total of 17 local roads are still closed this morning following flooding on Friday and Saturday.

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller Nedine Thatcher Swann said the region's roading network was still fragile with teams out to restore access as safely and quickly as possible.

“There is still land movement out there with new slips and dropouts to deal with, so we encourage people to only travel if necessary and drive safely around any damage.

“This is the fifth heavy rain event we've had over the past 18 months and I want to thank everyone who has once again helped to fix our roads and keep our communities connected.

“I also want to thank our community for knowing what to do and being prepared.”

State Highway 35 is now reopened — with lower speed limits in place in some areas — after the road dropped a metre on Kopuaroa Hill.

Caution is advised on Beach Road in Tokomaru Bay as the road has dropped out in two places, reducing it to a single lane, and a sea wall has collapsed.

Ms Thatcher Swann said members of the Civil Defence team flew up the East Coast by helicopter yesterday.

“They are assessing damage and taking food supplies to a whānau on one property.

“There are also two properties, one in Tokomaru Bay and one in Gisborne, being closely monitored after land movement caused concern.”

Meanwhile, lines company Eastland Network said power should be restored to the few remaining properties left without power later today.

“The weather caused a few issues with power in areas across the region, with heavy flooding up the Coast and multiple lightning strikes in Wairoa,” a spokeswoman said.

“Overall, though, the network came through the bad weather very well.

“On Sunday our teams and contractors finished all repairs, except in Matakaoa,” she said.

“Unfortunately a few people in this area were without power again last night due to the damage caused.

“Today we need to instal several large poles and then respan the river, and then we can restore power safely.”

Ms Thatcher Swann encouraged anyone who noticed damage on their properties to call it in by either filing a request for service by using the GDC FIX app on any smartphone, calling GDC on 0800 653 800 emailing or via the eFix service on the council's website.

The council's website is being kept up to date with and its has up-to-date information.