Hawke's Bay Civil Defence & Emergency Management Group Media Release 27 April 2011

Continuing Wet Weather Challenges Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Group has the picture of continuing rainfall, waterlogged groundwater and rising river levels.

Most of Hawke's Bay region has received between 30mm and 200mm of rain in the past 24 hours with the area north of Nuhaka in the Wairoa District receiving just over 207mm in 24 hours. A possible 80-120 mm of rain may fall over the next 24 hour period and a high tide due at 1.00pm is creating some concern for those living near the coast and coastal rivers. Rivers are expected to remain at their higher than normal levels until late Thursday/early Friday. After rainfall which continued through the night, surface flooding has been widely reported and 45 people evacuated from flooded properties at Te Awanga and Waimarama. The Hastings Disctrict Council Emergency Operations Centre activation at 7.00am this morning; the Regional Council Emergency Operations Centre has also activated.

Rain is still falling and may continue at the rate of 15-20mm per hour. Pumping stations are all operating effectively and mobile pumps are being moved to areas of greatest need. Overland drains are full and while the region's Councils don't anticipate severe urban flooding, localised flooding is occurring in low-lying, coastal and rural areas and is likely to continue until the rain stops. Surface flooding has been reported across Napier, in Bayview, Pourerere and Kairakau with more severe flooding in Wairoa and isolation for the community at Nuhaka.

Anyone with concerns for their property should contact their local council, who can provide advice and assistance if required.

Most of the region's major roads are currently open, with the exception of the State Highway 2 [Napier-Wairoa] Road, and access towards Waimarama across the Maraetotara Road bridge. Other remote bridges to the north and in central Hawke's Bay are likely underwater. [more roading details are at the bottom of this release]

People who are concerned should listen to the television or radio for updates and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly into flooded areas.

The Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Group is actively monitoring the situation and will advise updates as appropriate.

KNOWN ROAD CLOSURES & ACCESS Ocean Beach Road closed - due to slip Ocean Beach settlement isolated Ellis Wallace Road Bridge closed SH2 Flooding closed at Whirinaki Bridge Aropaonui Beach Waipatiki Beach Road closed due to slips Waipataiki Beach settlement isolated Tangoio Settlement Road closed due to slips Pakuratahi Road closed due to slip Clifton Bridge, Te Awanga closed, camping ground isolated Tukituki Road closed due to slip Waimarama Road closed due to slip Okaihau Road - slips Te Apiti Road - unable to access past Brightwells Tia Kitai Road - unable to access Hiranui Pourerere Elsthorpe Bush Road Moutere Long Range Blackhead Pourerere Beach Mangakuri

ends

© Scoop Media