MEDIA RELEASE

3.45pm Monday, 16 March 2015
Release No: 8

More than 100 moved as sea laps coastal communities

More than 100 people in total have now moved out of their homes at Te Araroa, Waima (Tokomaru Bay) and Anaura Bay as rain, high winds and large swells continue to affect the district.

Many of those evacuated have gone to family and friends. Others are being accommodated by marae in the areas.

More than 50 people under immediate threat chose to move out of the Waima area where waves are coming over the seawall and across the road. Most have moved to Waiparapara Marae in the township. Fifteen people have also been evacuated at Te Araroa, and 32 at Anaura Bay.

The NZ Army is on standby to help in Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay.

Police area commander Sam Aberahama reports that the sea at Waima is picking up metal and throwing it across the road.

“Most locals are hunkering down at home. The road is now closed which will help stop rubberneckers in the area.”

The storm has intensified to the south with Wainui now affected.

Gisborne Civil Defence group controller Peter Higgs says waves are regularly breaking over the seawall at the Tuahine Crescent end of the beach. At Tatapouri, waves are topping the boat ramp.

Erosion is causing concern between Turihaua and Pouawa. The road has not been closed yet but is being closely monitored.

The airport remains open but one early afternoon flight from Wellington had to turn back.

Power has been restored to about 100 Gisborne city customers in Mangapapa and Te Hapara. Another 600 are still without power mainly in coastal and rural areas. Eastland Network has identified the issues and is working to restore power as soon as possible. They are mainly isolated individual faults mainly caused by falling trees.

Six roads on the East Coast are closed due to falling trees, flooding and power lines down. See www.gdc.govt.nz for road closures.

Gisborne District Council thanks residents at Makorori, Wainui and outer Kaiti who did not put out their rubbish and recycling today.

Contractors will collect rubbish only tomorrow. Recycling can be taken to the 24 hour drop-off centre in Innes Street or kept until next week’s collection.

ENDS

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