Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund set up

A Taranaki disaster relief fund has been set up for public donations to help local people affected by heavy flooding and storm damage.

Details of the fund, set up today, are: Taranaki Regional Council at TSB Bank, 15-3947-0492814-01 “Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund”.

Donations to the Taranaki Disaster Relief fund are the most efficient and effective form of assistance for those affected by the emergency.

Helicopter assessments

Today helicopter relief flights are continuing aerial assessments of isolated rural areas and dropping off urgent welfare supplies for people and picking up others. Two infants were picked up from households at Waitotara Valley and returned to their parents elsewhere in Taranaki. There were also 15 food and six medical and necessities drop-offs.

The flights are assessing how people are coping and the extent of damage to roads and bridges in isolated rural areas of Taranaki.

A State of Emergency remains and the current focus is on the long term welfare and sustainable support of isolated, rural households across the region. There is concern about the effects of power cuts and houses affected by silt and flood damage. Many local rural roads remain impassable because of slips, and some areas are still without power. It’s expected some roads may take several weeks to be cleared and re-opened.

Update on Waitotara

Taranaki District Health Board advises Waitotara residents that everything in contact with floodwater should be treated with caution. Most residents have returned to their homes and personal hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of disease following flood events. Children and pets should continue to stay away from flood waters. The boil water advice remains in place in Waitotara township and bottled water is available for residents at the Local Information Centre at the Waitotara Hotel, which remains open.

In Waitotara township, no homes remain under water and STDC health officers are assessing house and testing water supplies. Residents on bore water supply are advised to boil water. The streets are passable.

If people have urgent needs they should contact Civil Defence 0800 or call 111 for medical emergencies.

The road bridge to Wai-inu Beach remains closed but there is alternative access across private land.

Elsewhere in Taranaki

Across the region today, people are advised to stay away from beaches, rivers and streams because of potential contamination as a result of heavy rain and flooding. Boaties are also advised to be aware of flood debris that has been washed out to sea.

SH43 between Stratford and Taumaranui has reopened, though extreme care is advised as there remain a number of slips and the route is reduced to one lane in parts.

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