State of emergency stays in Whakatane

6.15pm

Whakatane District Council has extended its state of emergency for another 24 hours as flooding, a swarm of earthquakes and slips continue to cause problems in the district.

Civil Defence controller David Christison said the situation in the district was still not stable enough to lift the state of emergency. It will be reviewed again at 4pm tomorrow.

More than 140 people are still in Eastern Bay of Plenty evacuation centres as flood recovery gets underway.

Many rural evacuees are yet to register and the total number of people displaced in last week's floods is still unknown.

Large parts of the eastern Bay of Plenty were flooded after the area received about 250mm of rain in 48 hours. The flood damage was compounded by slips caused by a swarm of over 200 quakes, which were still being felt.

Mr Christison said the reasons for extending the declaration were that large numbers of properties were still under water and landslips continued.

Many residents were still isolated and could not be reached by road and the earthquakes continued.

The main access into the district was through the epicentre of the earthquake zone, he said.

Opotiki lifted its state of emergency at the weekend.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Disaster Recovery Office says between 500 and 700 houses have been damaged by flooding and landslides.

Another 70 or 80 houses on the Rangitaiki Plains are likely to be damaged but cannot be reached until water levels allow access later this week.

At the height of the flooding, almost 2000 people were evacuated to half a dozen centres at marae and halls, but some have since been able to return home as roads were opened or to temporary accommodation.

About half the Rangitaiki Plains - 27,000 hectares - is flooded with about 17,000 hectares of farmland under water.

Federated Farmers estimates about 450 farms are affected, along with some horticultural blocks. About 5000 cows have been moved out of Opotiki and Whakatane, with some not likely to return for several months.

Schools in some areas re-opened today, although Thornton School between Tauranga and Whakatane will remain closed until at least Wednesday.

A former chief executive of the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council has been appointed to co-ordinate recovery operations in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Peter Davies was the civil defence co-ordinator for the Manawatu-Wanganui region's flooding disaster five months ago.

In a joint project between Whakatane and Opotiki district councils and Environment Bay of Plenty, a recovery office has been set up in Whakatane.

Mr Davies said the office would be manned by himself and two civil defence staff.

"We will now be establishing units to deal with welfare, economic, rural and infrastructure for the long term."

The rural unit will include Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Dexcel and Agriculture and Forestry Ministry representatives.

He said the welfare unit would operate for some time because there were families who would be many months out of their homes.

"What is needed is vegetables and tinned foods at this stage. We would also appreciate fruit, sugar, flour and noodles. We don't know what other items might be needed yet, but food is necessary for those who are away from their homes," Mr Davies said.

Several key roads are still closed including State Highway 2 at Pikowai, Opotiki to Te Kaha. Both lanes are open from Opotiki to Gisborne, but the land remains unstable.

Main access to the eastern Bay of Plenty is via State Highway 30 from Rotorua. Slips still need to be cleared in the Waimana Gorge and Taneatua areas.

Although pasture can withstand flooding for several days it is likely that much of the water on the Rangitaiki Plains will reduce only slowly through natural drainage and pumping. About 50 properties are rated "serious" and are unlikely to be able to milk this season, losing an entire year's income.

The impact on horticultural properties is difficult to calculate, with winter pruning delayed and kiwi fruit orchards missing spray season.

The National Welfare Recovery Co-ordination Group has established a dedicated 0800 number (0800 779 997) and established recovery information centres at Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall and the Army Hall in Whakatane with services such as Work and Income, Housing NZ, IRD and Ngati Awa Social and Health Trust. Emergency needs grants are being issued.

A joint Mayoral Relief Fund has been set up for residents of both districts.

- NZPA