Tairawhiti CDEM Group Emergency Coordination Centre Update 7

4 June 2018, 3.30pm

Rivers recede after eventful day at Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay river levels have dropped dramatically this afternoon after a rainy start and a mission to rescue three people from the roof of their home.

More rain is on its way. A weather watch is in place from 9pm tonight until 1pm tomorrow afternoon. Tairawhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management and Gisborne District Council’s flood warning team will continue to monitor the situation overnight.

Emergency manager Louise Bennett thanked all the teams involved today.

“We acknowledge all those people who have helped from the ECT Rescue helicopter team including paramedics and Shane Clapperton, our Civil Defence Community Link team at Uawa, the Eastland Network team working with roading contractors to restore power to affected residents.”

The Hikuwai River at Willow Flat, north of Tolaga Bay, rose from an average two metre height to 12.6 metres at 7am. This had dropped dramatically to 6.5m at 2pm.

The rain was centred around the area north and west of Tolaga Bay and on the coast and inland of Whangara.

From midnight Sunday until 2pm today, the Mata River south of Tokomaru Bay received 189mm; Hikuwai River at No 4 Bridge, 126mm; and Pakarae, Whangara, 267mm and the Pouawa River, 148mm. Te Puia Springs received 103mm.

Meanwhile, State Highway 35 was opened to traffic after being closed for several hours today. The Paroa and Mangatokerau roads at Tolaga Bay will be closed until 5pm Wednesday with an update due midday Wednesday.

Other roads closed are Pa Road, Waiomoko, Arakihi, Kiore Road, Anaura Bay Road, Kaiaua, Waihau Bay, Glenroy and Tauwhareparae. An update on these will be provided at noon tomorrow.

Check the NZTA and Gisborne District Council websites for updates.

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