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Media Release |
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Media note: this statement can be attributed to Far North District Council district facilities manager Alastair Wells. The eye of the storm battering the Far North appears to have passed over the mid north after causing havoc in the northernmost part of the district, Hokianga and the Bay of Islands earlier today. A river burst its banks at Punguru where up to 35 people have left their homes and are safe at the Waipuna marae. River levels have peaked and people should be able to move again in a few hours. The community is advised to stay at home or move to the marae until the flood risk recedes. Council staff are on their way into the area to assist where possible Top Energy is responding to power outages at Russell through to Karetu, Waiomio through to Motutau, Kawakawa (including the Bay of Islands hospital which is being satisfactorily powered by generator), Ohaeawai through to Ngawha, Waimate North, eastern Kawakawa, Taumarere, Lemmons Hill, Opua, English Bay, Waipapa township, SH 10 to Puketotara Rd including parts of Kerikeri, Matauri Bay, Wainui, Te Ngaere, china clay works, Otoroa, Kapiro, Skudders Beach, Landing Rd, Rangitane, Purerua, Opito Bay, Doves Bay, Te Tii, Tapuatahi, Herekino, Ahipara end of Sandhills Rd, Ohaeawai, Ngawha Springs, Ngawha, Pakaraka to Te Ahu Ahu, Waimate North, Mangoui, Karikari Peninsula and Hihi. It is not known how long it will take to restore power to these communities. The council is continuing to work with emergency services to reopen roads and assist with other storm damage throughout the district. There are road closures at SH1 where there is a slip at Mangamuka gorge. State Highway One at Rangiahua bridge is closed and motorists are advised to detour through SH 10 although surface flooding is making travel hazardous. Ngapipito, Omanu and Sawyers Roads are still closed. There is surface flooding on SH10 at Bulls Gorge and Coopers Beach, SH12 at Ngawha, and SH1 at Te Ahu. Motorists need to take care on these roads which are open but need to be negotiated with care. Power outages have affected wastewater treatment plants on the east coast, Ahipara and Kerikeri with minor sewage spills in some places. Council staff have generators and sucker trucks dealing with problems until power can be restored. At the Stone Store basin, water levels are still well below the bridge at present but Council Contractors are on standby to remove the bridge if water levels rise to threaten the historic buildings. The Awanui river is expected to peak around 6pm and it is possible that there will be flooding at Larmers road around that time. The fallen redwood tree threatening a house in Kerikeri is being removed by contractors and there is no need to evacuate the family. Council staff and contractors are monitoring the situation throughout the district and information will be updated as soon as it comes to hand. For further information please contact:-
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Page created/updated: 27 July, 2008 |
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