Flood and quake round-up from across the Bay of Plenty

State of emergency

The state of civil emergency in the Whakatane District will be reviewed today.

Evacuations

The evacuation centre at the Whakatane War Memorial Hall is being transferred to the Army Hall in The Strand East. Up to 100 evacuees were expected to spend last night in the Wairaka and Hokowhitu marae.

Isolated communities

Food, medical supplies and mail have been delivered to people in the isolated Ruatahuna area.

Twenty-five people are trapped at Ngaputahi. A decision is still to be made about whether they will be evacuated or a further food-drop made.

About 100 people are stranded on Mataatua Rd and can only gain access to Ruatahuna by horseback.

Road conditions

Opotiki: State Highway 35 along the East Coast near the Motu River remains barricaded as cracks in the Maraenui Bluffs continue to move. Work to restore the alternative route, the old coast road, has begun but may not be completed by the end of this week. Slips in the Waiotahi Valley are expected to be cleared today.

Whakatane: The Matata Straight may be down to one lane.

SH2 at Waiotahi and Waimana Gorge is open but extreme caution is advised.

SH2 remains closed between Edgecumbe and Western Drain Rd.

SH38 Murupara to Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna is closed but there is access between Ruatahuna and Wairoa for 4x4 vehicles.

Water and power

Water supplies have been restored to most areas but Awakeri residents are being advised to fill containers from a tanker based at Awakeri School.

Te Puke, Pukehina and Maketu residents are being urged to conserve water until Sunday, when workers hope to have repaired a pipe broken by a fallen tree.

Health and safety

Health officials are urging those affected by flooding to be vigilant about personal health and safety. Parents are also being warned to keep young child away from water hazards and to empty anything that contains more than 5cm of water, to prevent drownings.

Earthquakes

The region continues to be hit by earthquakes, with one measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale hitting shortly after 5.30am yesterday. A magnitude 3.0 quake was felt just before 9pm on Wednesday.

River levels

Water levels have fallen sufficiently in the upper Rangitaiki River so that the gates of the Matahina Dam spillway were expected to be closed by today.

Emergency repair work to close the breach in the Rangitaiki River stopbank is under way.

Insurance

Claims are being dealt with in order of priority, with those needing rehousing at the top of the list.

Farming

Seventy-five dairy farmers have been badly affected. Up to 50 are expected to lose their income for the next year. Stock is still being sent to farms in the Waikato and Rotorua and Taupo areas for grazing.

A number of horticultural properties have also been significantly affected.

Relief funds

Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund: donations can be left at any BNZ branch.

1XX Flood Relief Fund: give at ANZ branches in the Eastern Bay Of Plenty.

Red Cross: automatic $20 donation, call 0900 33100.

Federated Farmers' Adverse Events Trust: donations at any National Bank.

Contact numbers

Stopbanks, pumps and river matters, contact Environment Bay of Plenty: 0800 ENV BOP (368-267).

Water, sewerage, roading and evacuation matters, contact the appropriate district council: Opotiki, 07 315-6167; Rotorua, 07 348-4199; Whakatane, 07 306-0500.

Federated Farmers' Helpline: 0800 FFLOOD (335-663).

Missing Stock Helpline: 0800 264-632.

Fonterra: 0800 656-568.

Government Flood Freephone: 0800 779-997.

Radio 1XX: road and school closures and water supplies - 07 308-6239.


Herald Feature: Bay of Plenty flood

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