Whakatāne District Council advises that Cyclone Vaianu has now moved through the district, with the most severe weather conditions easing this evening.
While this marks an important transition point, residents are urged to continue taking care, as a number of hazards remain across the district.
Following today’s events, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) staff, alongside the New Zealand Defence Force, completed an initial visual assessment of affected areas.
Residents who were evacuated mandatorily or voluntarily were cleared to return home from around 6pm, if they felt it was safe to do so.
Local Duty Controller Hone Patrick says this is a positive step, but it does not mean everything is back to normal.
“We’re grateful to the many people who followed official advice and took important steps to keep themselves and each other safe,” says Mr Patrick.
“There are still areas of risk, and we’re asking people to continue taking a cautious, common sense approach. There are fallen trees and debris on roads across the district, downed powerlines, and ongoing power outages with further slips still possible. Another high tide is expected around 3am, which could still affect some coastal or low lying areas.”
In West End, Ōhope, geotechnical assessments of the escarpment will take place in daylight tomorrow.
Residents living near steep slopes, cliffs or escarpments are urged to remain alert for any signs of movement, such as cracking ground or unusual sounds, and to avoid sleeping in rear rooms near steep banks where possible.
A conserve water notice remains in place across the Whakatāne District due to the impacts of the cyclone on power supply to infrastructure and treatment operations. Residents are asked to use water carefully and only for essential purposes until further notice.
The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall remains open as an Emergency Evacuation Centre for anyone who does not feel safe returning home tonight. Rangitihi Marae in Matatā has also supported community welfare efforts, with other marae voluntarily standing ready to assist.
“We want to acknowledge and mihi to the local marae who stepped up at short notice to support whānau, along with emergency services, contractors and partner agencies who have worked through extremely challenging conditions,” says Mr Patrick.
Council’s Customer Services office will open later than usual tomorrow, at 10am. The Whakatāne Aquatic Centre and Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Library will both open from 1pm.
Edgecumbe Library will remain closed. All kerbside services will operate as usual.
Urgent issues can be reported to Council’s 24/7 call centre on 07 306 0500. Non urgent issues can be logged via the Fix It and Report a Problem form on the Council website.
Further updates will be provided as daylight assessments continue.