9.40am, 7 December 2012

Update on tornado damage in Whenuapai, Hobsonville and other parts of Auckland

Auckland Council Civil Defence’s immediate priority this morning is to finalise property inspections, identify any that are structurally damaged, and ensure owners/tenants are looked after and communicated with.

Today’s update:

BUILDING INSPECTIONS
• Yesterday 18 teams of building inspectors undertook 241 building assessments.
• Significant roofing damage was noted.
• Inspections will continue with building assessments today including 40 properties in Totara Rd and Clark Rd.
• Overall it is expected that a relatively small number of buildings will be found to be structurally unsafe.

STORMWATER
Auckland Council’s stormwater team are continuing to follow up calls from the public.

ELECTRICITY
• Vector restored 700 customers overnight, leaving 635 without power.
• Locations without power are predominantly in the Scott Rd, Clark Rd, Buckley Ave, and Hobsonville Air Base areas along with Puriri, Totara and Waimarie roads. It is anticipated that the Waimarie Rd and Totara Rd areas will be affected for an extended period of time.
• Power to Herald Island has been restored.

SECURITY
• NZ Defence Force is continuing to provide assistance to Police with security and cordons of the affected area.
• A decision on public access to the cordoned area will be made later this morning.

WELFARE
• Approximately 230 Defence Force personnel were provided alternative accommodation by NZ Defence.
• Two recovery centres will open at 10.00am at Massey Leisure Centre and Victory Church, managed by Auckland Council Civil Defence staff with personnel from Housing NZ, Salvation Army, Work and Income, Child Youth and Family and Victim Support. The recovery centres will be closed at 1700 this evening (Friday 7 December).
• 31 affected people who registered at Whenuapai last night are now being processed.
• Auckland Council Animal Control have accommodated a number of companion animals overnight.
• Harcourts rental properties division is assisting with tenants whose houses are uninhabitable.
• The Ministry of Social Development has asked to deploy roving teams with Civil Defence personnel to check on houses where residents remain but may need assistance.

WEATHER UPDATE
The heavy showers affecting Auckland this morning are expected to increase during today. We can expect:
1. Heavy rain and possible hail in showers.
2. Wind gusts within showers of up to 100km/h
3. A low risk of thunderstorms forming.
4. Shower activity will increase during the day with most intense rainfall and activity in the evening.

What to do as storms approach:
• Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
• Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
• Move cars under cover or away from trees;
• Secure any loose objects around your property;
• Check that drains and gutters are clear;
• Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.

During and after the storm, you should also:
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
• Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>