More than 40 evacuated in Gisborne district in wake of Pam

More than 40 people have been evacuated in the Gisborne district this morning as ex-tropical cyclone Pam continues its southward track, bringing high winds, and rising sea and river levels.

Ten people were evacuated from Te Araroa in the northern end of the Gisborne district this morning. The residents at the start of the East Cape Road, parallel to the sea, are being accommodated in the township’s Hinerupe Marae.

Driftwood has been strewn across the road and the airstrip is unusable.

A slip on East Cape Road has made the road impassable. The Puketiti Road south of Te Puia is closed due to power lines across the road.

The army helped evacuate 24 people from Anaura Bay and the road has

been closed due to flooding.

Another six people have been evacuated from Mangatuna, north of Tolaga Bay, where the river has risen five and a half metres in about four hours. The Hikuwai River, now at more than 11 metres, historically overflows the highway at 12 metres. The river reached more than 14m in Cyclone Bola.

Power has been lost in several communities. Generators are being used at Hicks Bay and Ruatoria to provide power. Eastland Network is working to repair a fault on the 50kV line.

A spokesperson said people may find their power goes on and off over the day due to intermittent faults being repaired and others occurring due to weather conditions.

Network crews are also working to fix multiple faults to the west, north and east of Gisborne.

A small area between Tokomaru and Tolaga bays is also without power.

Rain continues to fall with the highest fall of 161mm and 144mm recorded for the northwest of Tolaga Bay in the past 12 hours.

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