8.30am Tuesday 17 March 2015

Clean-up under way along coast

Residents and contractors will be out in force this morning to help clean up driftwood and debris along beachfront properties at Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Waima and Anaura Bay.

The beach communities were the hardest hit in yesterday’s storm.

Manager, Emergency Management Richard Steele says debris was reported to be all over the roads and beachfront.

“We believe seawater has come through some garages but not houses. “

Mr Steele this morning flew by helicopter with a Tairawhiti Roads representative and television cameraman to assess coastal erosion and the state of the roads and highways.

Fewer than 150 people are still without power but Eastland Network is working to resolve the faults.

Five roads remain closed – Anaura Bay, by the DoC camp; East Cape Road, at the last 3km, due to slips, rocks and debris; Puketiti, where power lines are down; Mangatokerau at Paroa Road intersection; Waikura Road at the SH35 highway intersection.

The highest rainfall was recorded at East Cape where close to 300mm fell from 8pm Sunday until 6am today. Arowhana had 270mm, and Ruatoria, Te Puia and Mata each had close to 200mm. The city received about 80mm of rain.

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