Clean Up Continues After Tropical Cyclone

Clean-up work in flood-affected Northland communities will need to continue for some time but officials say the region has already made pleasing progress and its people have demonstrated remarkable resilience.

Tony Phipps, of the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group – which is continuing to monitor the situation from its Whangarei-based Emergency Operations Centre – says up to 100 homes have been affected by floodwaters in Moerewa and Kawakawa with building and sanitary inspectors continuing their investigations today.

Affected residents are invited to a recovery centre which will open tomorrow (subs: Monday 31 January) at Kawakawa Community Link between 9am and 3pm.

Representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, Housing New Zealand and the Far North District Council will be present to assess their welfare needs.

Meanwhile Mr Phipps says local government and other officials dealing with the storm are now shifting their focus from ‘response’ to ‘recovery’ mode as most river levels throughout the region have receded reasonably quickly.

“The Awanui and Kaeo Rivers no longer pose a threat to residents with levels dropping more than three and four metres respectively however flooding continues from the elevated waters in the Waiharakeke (Moerewa) and Kawakawa Rivers,” he says.

“The water levels in the Kawakawa River are receding slowly due to the large volume of floodwater.”

River levels in the Mangakahia and Wairua catchments remain high, while the Waiotu and Whakapara Rivers in the upper Wairua Catchment are now within the stop-banks of the upper Hikurangi Swamp.

“Vast areas of low-lying river flats in the Hikurangi Swamp, Lower Wairua River and the Mangakahia River valleys remain flooded, as well as areas which commonly flood like Tangiteroria, Pukehuia, Kirikopuni and west towards Dargaville.”

Water levels in the Northern Wairoa River at Dargaville continue to be closely monitored by Northland Regional Council hydrologists.

The remaining major rivers around Whangarei, southern Whangarei and Kaipara districts have all receded to normal levels.

Mr Phipps says with the substantial surface flooding across farmland and some communities, it will take many days for the waters to recede completely.

Almost all major roads around the region are partially open and passable with care as District Council and New Zealand Transport Agency roading crews continue working to remove slip debris and repair damage.

Mr Phipps says there is still substantial disruption to traffic flows on SH1 with delays north of Kawakawa and on SH11 between Paihia and Kawakawa and he urges motorists to avoid these areas.

The Northland District Health Board has issued a Public Health Advisory warning swimmers to stay out of the water until the water is clear – or you can see your feet.

People are advised to avoid rivers and coastal areas for two days, and upper harbour areas for five days if there has been sewage contamination.

It is also best to avoid collecting shellfish contaminated by flood waters for at least a week – this period of time should be extended to at least 28 days if contamination by human sewage is also likely

The Public Health Advisory is available on Northland Regional Council’s website

www.nrc.govt.nz/healthadvisory

Boaties are also being warned to continue keeping a watchful eye for any debris or navigational hazards around our harbours and coastline over the coming days, with major hazards to be reported to the Northland Regional Council’s 24/7 Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639.

Road closure information for the state highway network can be checked on the AA Roadwatch website www.aaroadwatch.co.nz and Whangarei District Council is providing local road updates on its website

www.wdc.govt.nz

Alternatively, you can telephone Far North District Council on 0800 920 029 or Whangarei District Council 0800 932 463 for local road closure information.

ENDS

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