June 24

Ongoing Taranaki Disaster welfare relief

Emergency welfare supplies are continuing to be flown out to people in isolated rural Taranaki today.

Emergency supply drops today are concentrating in the areas of Waitotara and Tangahoe Valley and are focused on getting supplies to 16 households. Urgent requests have been communicated to Civil Defence via social media and phone contact.

The State of Emergency in Taranaki remains and is reviewed each day. The focus is identifying, contacting or visiting all households in areas which are cut-off and providing emergency supplies. Yesterday 15 food and six other drop offs were made delivering welfare, medical and other necessities to households.

Many roads in South Taranaki remain closed due to slips blocking access. South Taranaki District Council estimates about 18 per cent of district roads are out of action and clean-up efforts are on-going.

A Taranaki disaster relief fund has been set up for public donations to help local people affected by heavy flooding and storm damage. Details of the fund, set up today, are: Taranaki Regional Council at TSB Bank, 15-3947-0492814-01 “Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund”.

Donations to the Taranaki Disaster Relief fund are the most efficient and effective form of assistance for those affected by the emergency.

The Ministry of Social Development is also focusing on those with an urgent and essential need.

"We are getting in touch with our most vulnerable clients, including seniors and those with health and disability issues, just to touch base and see how they are getting on," Social Development Regional Commissioner Katie McRedmond said.

"We’re also calling up those in isolated areas who may be having trouble contacting us.

“All our offices are open, and we can look at paying emergency assistance available as Special Needs Grants, Advance Payment of Benefit, and Civil Defence Payments.”

Update on Waitotara

Taranaki District Health Board has tested water supplies in Waitotara, Wai-inui Beach and Waitara and water is safe to drink. The boil water advice is no longer required, but it remains in place for two private water supplies and they will be contacted and the heath advice reconfirmed.

TDHB also advises Waitotara residents that everything in contact with floodwater should be treated with caution. Most residents have returned to their homes and personal hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of disease following flood events. Children and pets should continue to stay away from flood waters. The Local Information Centre at the Waitotara Hotel remains open.

In Waitotara township, no homes remain under water. The streets are passable.
If people have urgent needs they should contact Civil Defence 0800 or call 111 for medical emergencies.

ROADING UPDATE

The road bridge to Wai-inu Beach remains closed but there is alternative access across private land. SH43 between Stratford and Taumaranui is open for emergency services only and crews are continuing to clear slips blocking the road. Access between Stratford and Whangamomona is open but extreme caution is urged.

SH3 south of Hawera at Manutahi is reduced to one lane due to washout. Slips on Mt Messenger are delaying traffic on SH3 north.

The health warning remains in place until end of Thursday 25 June, for people to stay away from beaches, rivers and streams because of potential contamination as a result of heavy rain and flooding. Boaties are also advised to be aware of flood debris that has been washed out to sea.

ends

© Scoop Media