Rawhiti Rd bridge washout

**UPDATE 2pm 18 Jan**

• Ngapipito Rd downed tree cleared and road is now open.
• Waikare Rd Washout – road closed and contractors are on their way to clear slips and make safe.
• Rawhiti RD North closed due to slips – working to open for traffic over the next couple of hours.
• Large slips in Russell on multiple roads, Rawhiti Rd and Manawaora Rd seem worst hit.
• Bridge approach washed out on Rawhiti Rd at the southern end of Network – Working with contractors from Whangarei on a repair for this one.
• NRC Hydrologists confirmed that 285mm of rain was recorded at the new rain gauge in Punaruku between 12am and 6am.

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A Rawhiti Road bridge has been washed out by heavy downpours that hit the coastal area east of Russell overnight. Sudden flood waters have washed out the road abutment on a single-lane bridge located just south of Whangaruru North Road.

Road crews have investigated and heavy machinery is on route to make repairs. However, a number of road slips in the same area is delaying progress of this equipment.

The bridge washout and slips have combined to make travel very difficult for residents and visitors to the area. Northland Civil Defence is aware of the situation and is on standby should evacuations or other assistance be necessary.

We will provide updates as soon as new details are confirmed.

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Bridge location