29 April 2011

After a battering from the rain bomb earlier this week, attention has now turned from initial response to recovery in the coastal areas of Central Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Hastings Districts.

Recovery managers have been appointed for Central Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Hastings Districts. The State of Emergency declared in Central Hawke’s Bay on Thursday morning was being reviewed at 4.30pm this afternoon. The role of recovery managers will be to prioritise and work through recovery issues including operational challenges, the people and equipment required to fix roading and access, infrastructure, services and utilities.

No further weather alerts have been issued by MetService although occasional showers are possible over the next couple of days.

Coastal roads in that area are still under mud, slips and water. Many slips remain fluid including some near private residences and other buildings. All coastal communities have some form of vehicular access, except Aramoana Beach. The only people remaining in coastal communities are those permanent residents who don’t require evacuation.

Power has been restored to all coastal communities, however the Waimarama power supply will be shut down from 0930am until approximately 12.00 midday on Saturday.

A ‘boil water’ notice remains in place for people at Waimarama.

People travelling in Hawke’s Bay, particularly near coastal areas should watch for greasy or uneven roads, and allow extra time given the repairs that are under way.

Health advice can be gained from either the www.hbemergency.govt.nz or www.hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz websites.

ROADS
Wairoa
SH2 Napier-Wairoa - Open with extreme caution

Roads closed at this stage are:
Kopuawhara Road
Nuhaka - Opoutama Road and Blacks Beach (one lane only with delays)
Kinikini Road (Open to 4WDs)
Mahia East Coast Road at Burma Hill (open to 4WDs)
Mangaone Road
Nuhaka River Road
Hereheretau Road at fords
Mangapoike Road at 7.5km
Kokohu Road
Waiatai Road
Tunanui Road (open to 4WDs)
Maromauku Road

Napier City
No issues

Hastings District
Ocean Beach Road: Cleared , but still closed until washed of silt tomorrow morning. Restricted access from afternoon Saturday 30 April. Extreme caution necessary

Waimarama Road: Temporary bridge in place. Road has been reopened for residents and emergency service vehicles. Road is singe lane in many parts and slippery. Extreme caution necessary. Te Apiti road closed.

Maraetotara Road Road has been reopened for residents and emergency service vehicles. Road is singe lane in many parts and slippery. Extreme caution necessary.

Te Apiti Road closed due to slips. Contractors started clearing slips. Expect to open to limited access for residents and emergency services midday Saturday [30 April]

Waitangi Road Closed other than first 500 metres.

All other council roads are open but many are single lane with slips and subsidence. In particular extreme caution on Waipatiki, Tangoio and Aroapaonui Roads

The camping grounds at Clifton and Te Awanga are closed and unlikely to be reopened for some time.

Central Hawke’s Bay
Manned roadblocks are in place to Kairakau, Pourerere, Blackhead and Mangakuri Beaches.

Entry through roadblocks is by written permission from CHB Controller only until further notice, due to safety issues with partially cleared roads and unstable land behind many coastal communities.

ENDS

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