Flood hit Whakatane District begins clean-up

The flood hit Whakatane District has started clean-up mode, with skip bins being placed in some of the worst hit areas for home owners to use.

The bins are being placed in the areas worst affected by flooding _ the Douglas Street/Alexander Avenue area in Whakatane and at Maraetotara in Ohope _ so that people whose properties have been damaged can get on with clearing out their homes and sections.

However they're being warned not to throw out evidence of property damage before an
insurance claim is accepted.

Some 23 homes in Whakatane and Ohope have been damaged by flood water.

Whakatane District Council staff have inspected those properties, and some 60
others with less severe damage, and advised owners on clean-up activities and the process for lodging claims with insurers.

A significant aspect is to ensure that evidence of property damage is not disposed of before an insurance claim is accepted. Follow-up contact will occur with all of the property owners involved over the next 48 hours.

The council is still recommending a precautionary approach to escarpment stability
throughout the district until the rain-sodden soil conditions improve.

People living in landslide-prone areas should stay out of the parts of their homes which are nearest to escarpment faces. Residents should also check escarpment faces and if they are at all concerned about stability, self-evacuate to a safe location.

Any silt or pooled water left after flooding has subsided should be treated as potentially
contaminated by sewage overflows, so anyone involved in clean-up
activities should exercise care. Go to www.whakatane.govt.nz for advice on how to deal
with that situation.

Whakatane District Council and contractor teams are continuing to clear silt and debris from the stormwater system to make sure it is ready for further rain, when it arrives.

A more extensive, general tidy-up of flooding and wind-blown debris will begin from
tomorrow.

Most roads are now open, although care should still be taken, because isolated ponding
and debris may still be a factor in some areas. Hillcrest Road has reopened after temporary patching of stormwater damage and Matahi Valley Road access has
been restored, but conditions are difficult.

Valley Road/Taneatua Road has reopened, but proceed with caution in this area, as debris may still be encountered. Reid Road in Ruatoki is also open. Hereperu Road remains closed due to a major rockfall.

Any new information coming to hand will be posted on the Whakatane District Council website www.whakatane.govt.nz or Facebook page