13 December 2016, 8.45am Release No: 8

People asked to prepare for second night but power may be restored tonight

Gisborne district people should prepare for a second night without power but Eastland Network is hopeful power will be restored by tonight.

Emergency generators are providing power to rest home facilities, and food and fuel outlets. Many commercial outlets also have their own generators. Several food outlets are also operating with gas.

Good progress was achieved overnight repairing the 110kV transmission line between Tuai and Gisborne damaged in yesterday’s fatal light aircraft accident.

Eastland Group spokesman Andrew Gaddum said the crews worked as long as they could last night until the weather turned against them around midnight.

“We have two wires joined up across the valley and are just getting winch gear into place to lift the cables up to the pylons. We will work through the morning to get the lines up. We are still on track to restore power to the whole district in the late afternoon or early evening.

sPower was restored to the East Coast via generator before 3am last night and west of Puha all the way to Motu.

Generators are running again today but power supply will be intermittent.

“People may have no power in these areas. We ask people to use this power sparingly so power will reach longer distances from the substation and more people will benefit.”

The bulk of the Gisborne district remains without power.

Tairawhiti Civil Defence controller Patrick Willock said several service stations are now open for fuel and gas supplies.

“Today will be harder for people without power but we ask for their patience. Many people are working hard to restore power and enable power in the meantime.”

Police put on extra staff on the beat last night and will continue to do so for the next few nightsto ensure safety and help reduce crime around the city.

Police area commander Sam Aberahama said police were surprised at the number of people walking around the central city last night. He was thankful for the calls received from the public about suspicious behaviour.

A water tank is available at Okitu for Wainui residents unable to retrieve water from their own tanks.

Gisborne Hospital has provided a new phone number for the public as a result of overloading. This is 06 869 0528. People should continue to use the 111 number for emergencies.

Most GP practices remain open today but are working at reduced capacity due to difficulty accessing electronic notes.

Telecommunications have been a problem with intermittent supply. Extra generators are being brought in to help.

KEY ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC

Power

• Treat lines as live at all times.

• Turn all power appliances off at the wall.

• If you live on the East Coast from Tolaga Bay north or west at Whatatutu, Otoko and Puha and you had power yesterday and overnight, this was provided by generators. Today, Tuesday, power to these areas will be intermittent.

Water

• A water tanker was available to Wainui residents at the Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club today. Residents can also bucket water out of their tanks.

• Save water both inside and out. That means limit the times the toilet is flushed. No watering of the garden.

Cooking and food

• Use gas for cooking either inside on a gas hob, or outside on a gas barbecue.

• The fire ban has been lifted to enable people to cook outside on an open fire if necessary.

• Some fast food outlets have their own generators.

General

• Limit the times you open the freezer or fridge to help conserve your food.

Health

• Please check on your neighbours, particularly the very young and very old.

• Gisborne Hospital is open. Because lines have been overloaded, a new phone number has been provided. This is 06 869 0528. If there is an emergency, please ring 111 as usual.

• Most GP practices remain open today but are working at reduced capacity due to difficulty accessing electronic notes.

• Limit visits to the GP to urgent or emergency visits.

• People needing to boil water for baby formula could boil it on gas or a gas barbecue, or use bottled water.

Schools

• Parents should check with their schools as to whether they will be open today.

ends

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