Northern North Island: Civil defence moving from emergency response to recovery

As the weather clears in the northern North Island, the local state of emergency has been lifted in Northland and civil defence is moving from responding to the emergency towards recovering from it.

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said that all communities have now been contacted, either because roads have reopened or by helicopter.

The few remaining isolated communities and those with limited access have had water and basic supplies delivered by truck or helicopter.

District and Regional Councils' recovery managers are working with welfare agencies, health organisations, utilities and other agencies to co-ordinate recovery. The Ministry is monitoring recovery across the affected region and providing links between regional groups and central government.

"However, there might still be individuals who have not been in touch with anyone, possibly for a few days," Mr Hamilton said.

"We need to repeat the message we have been giving: 'contact your neighbours'. The bad weather might have stopped, but there could still be elderly people, or people injured or sick, who have been unable to contact anyone."

Any people requiring welfare assistance (e.g. accommodation, non-emergency medical issues, food, etc) should telephone 0800 779 997. The emergency number is 111.

"Even if people are not injured, friendly company can be a great help and support," Mr Hamilton said. "A chance to talk, see a friendly face, have a cup of tea together can be a great reassurance at a time of stress."

Power and telecommunications

Power and telecommunications restoration is progressing well, with local authorities, the Ministry, telcos and power companies all working together. More than 100 additional staff have been put into the field to work on faults.

As field staff contact people who have been cut off they are also asking about their health and welfare and putting them in contact with welfare assistance services.

The last pockets to be reconnected are in difficult terrain or where there has been significant structural damage to the network. These pockets are mainly in, or on, parts of Rodney, Waiheke Island, Hauraki, the Coromandel Peninsula, Whangarei and Kaipara. Full restoration of power and telecommunications could take some days to complete.

Roads

All State Highways are open and most other roads have reopened. There will still be work crews, debris and damage, even on the roads that are open, and drivers should exercise extreme caution.

"Drivers cannot assume that the road around the corner is clear," Mr Hamilton said. "It would be a tragedy for a vehicle to hit a work crew or debris."

Food and water

Food that is not in waterproof, sealed containers and that has been affected by floodwaters should not be eaten. Please dispose of it carefully so that other people do not eat it.

Food in freezers that have defrosted should not be re-frozen. Defrosted food should be carefully checked before cooking - if people are unsure about its safety, they should dispose of it carefully.

There could be concerns about how clean water is in some areas. If unsure, people should check with their local council for advice

Radio messages

People should listen to their radios (transistors if power is still off) for updates.

Northland

The Northland Regional Council's website, www.nrc.govt.nz, is dedicated to recording flooding response, road closures etc.

Water levels are now receding in all river catchments and the danger of more flooding is decreasing.

Some small communities in the Far North are still isolated and restoring links to them is a priority.

ENDS

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