Napier floods leave 67 properties uninhabitable, 47 families in temporary shelter

Napier mayor Kirsten Wise (centre) fronts media with other emergency service personnel in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

There are 67 Napier properties that are "uninhabitable" following this week's rain, with the public urged to take extra care using electrical appliances.

Fire and Emergency NZ Hawkes Bay area manager Ken Cooper said of the 384 assessments, a total of 22 properties were found to be "severely" damaged.

Earlier, Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said :"It's fair to say we've got a few tired people out there - in particular those who have been displaced from their homes," Wise said.

She said Kennedy Park is currently housing about 47 families - all of whom she said would be covered for any of their immediate needs.

Wise, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency, Police, DHB and Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu bosses addressed media at a press conference in Napier on Thursday.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is also urging people in flood impacted areas of Napier to take extra care using electrical appliances.

Cooper said do not use your power or gas until your supplier has checked and informed you that it is safe to use.

"If you buy a second-hand electrical appliance, get it checked and tested before you use it," he added.

Cooper said there are 30 uninhabitable houses on or around Napier Hill, with a further 37 are in Marewa, Maraenui and Pirimai.

Urban Search and Rescue and Napier City Council engineers aim to complete their assessments of properties on Friday.

"Multi-agency teams also continue to check people's welfare and wellbeing in the most severely impacted suburbs of Maraenui, Marewa and Pirimai and to coordinate support to affected residents," Cooper added.

Wise also admitted water pumps did not operate for a short period of time due to a power cut: "It was a very short period of time as generators were used straight away."

She said the council was still in an information "gathering" stage, and that the areas affected in Napier were "many".

Impacted residents seeking assistance can call 0800 422 923 or visit www.hbemergency.govt.nz and www.napier.govt.nz