Focus on Welfare & Roading Repairs

Central Hawke’s Bay civil defence staff are working through an evacuation plan for the most isolated settlements in the district.

Kairakau Beach and Aramoana Beach residents have been evacuated to the Welfare Centre in Waipukurau. Mangakuri Beach residents will follow tomorrow morning. Self-evacuation has occurred from other settlements and civil defence have all residents accounted for.

The District Council with other civil defence agencies is working through short-term recovery plans, clearing and opening affected roads and preparing for any further flooding and slip possibilities. Late this morning, there was still significant soil movement occurring with a large slip occurring behind the Aramoana Woolshed. Soil around the region is still at saturation levels and care should be taken.

The following roads are closed, with manned road blocks in place:

• Hunter Road & Blackhead Road corner

• Motere Road & Long Range Road intersection

• Pourerere Road & Long Range Road intersection

• Kairakau Road at Elsthorpe Village

Other closed roads are: Gibraltar Road, the Blackhead Township and Tipene Access.

The Welfare Centre is operating at the Russell Park Memorial Hall, registering evacuees and to deal with any needs, such as accommodation. The contact number is 06 858 8302 and the centre will remain open until all expected evacuees have been assisted. There is no on-site accommodation, but most needs are able to be met.

There is still some rain and showers falling along the coastline, but the intensity is now very light. There is the possibility of renewed rainfall after the weekend, which is being closed monitored by local and regional civil defence staff.

People with any concerns can contact the District Council office on 06 857 8060, or refer to Council’s website www.chbdc.govt.nz.

The state of local emergency declared by Central Hawke’s Bay District Council earlier today is expected to remain in place tomorrow afternoon (Friday).

ENDS

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