Flood Media Release 7 - 1800 Hours
Media Release 7 - 2 June 2010, 1800 Hours
The Eastern Bay of Plenty Emergency Operations Centre will close at 6pm following serious flooding in the Whakatane and Opotiki Districts. A record 101 millimetres of rain fell in two hours between 5.00pm and 7.00pm last night inundating streams and stormwater drains and flooding into homes and businesses in the district.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Controller Diane Turner says the response teams had worked hard throughout the day to open roads and restore services.
“Our focus over the next few days will be assessing the needs of people affected by the flood and making the necessary arrangements for those that need further assistance. People with immediate needs are asked to contact emergency services in the first instance.”
Cleaning up
The Whakatane District Council is encouraging residents cleaning their properties, to take any clean silt to Te Tahi St Recycling Park where they can deposit the silt for free. Commercial trucks and contractors can take the silt direct to Burma Rd landfill but must prior arrangement with Waste Management on 0800 10 10 10.
Roads
Most roads are now open, but road users are encouraged to drive to the conditions and with care.
Closed roads
- Maraetotara Rd – closed- (trees down)
Open roads
- SH2 Whakatane to Opotiki via Taneatua and Waimana
- Main Road to Taneatua (one lane)
- Matata Straights to Tauranga (one lane only overnight)
- Ohope Hill open with care
- Wainui Road (one lane only)
- Waiotahi Bluffs (one lane only)
- Valley Road (one lane)
- McCoy Road (one lane)
- Herepururu Road (one lane)
- Pikowai Road (one lane)
Insurance
Properties owners are encouraged to contact their insurance companies and lodge claims as soon as possible.
Property owners are advised to take the following steps:
- Act safely to prevent any further damage to their properties.
- Take pictures of the damage (building and content) for insurance acclaims
- Keep all damaged items for inspection
- Don’t start non-essential repairs without the insurance company’s approval
Public Health
People are reminded to always wash hands with soap and water after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewerage. Do no allow children to play in flood or landslip affected areas until clean up is completed and if they have been make sure they wash their hands well afterwards.
After working in a flood after are remove boots before going inside, shower and wash affected clothes. Wash hands well before cooking. Do not eat food that may have come into contact with flood water and discard readily perishable food. Refrozen perishable foods are not safe.