Exclusion zone cordon shifted
The exclusion zone cordon has been adjusted to allow some residents of East Bank Road back to their homes.
Whakatāne District Council staff have confirmed water has been reconnected to homes on East Bank Road.
This applies to a total of five residences. The residents will be notified as soon as possible.
The cordon will be further adjusted as soon as safety requirements allow.
There will be no 3pm briefing today. The next media briefing will be at 8am tomorrow, Sunday 9 April.

Background

In Edgecumbe alone, 1,600 people have been displaced by the breaching of the floodwall on the Rangitāiki River.
The Edgecumbe township remains largely cordoned off to ensure public safety while flood waters are still being managed and pumped away, and to protect people from sanitation risks associated with sewage system failures and surface water contamination.
Residents may be away from their homes for up to 10 days and some Tāneatua residents have also been evacuated due to flooding, which has prompted concerns about pets’ welfare. The Whakatāne Emergency Response Team, with support from the SPCA, has been working together to search for animals in Edgecumbe. Residents in need of animal welfare support should call 0800 306 0500.
Evacuees should go to friends and family or to the Civil Defence centres at Whakatāne (War Memorial Hall) and Kawerau (Rautahi Marae – Onslow Street). Whakatāne District Council encourages all evacuees to register at the Civil Defence centres.
We are aware that people want to kindly donate small goods and food. The relief effort does not require any donated goods. We are only able to manage financial assistance at this stage. An official Mayoral Fund Give a Little page has been set up for the Edgecumbe & Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP) Mayoral Flood Appeal and people can donate at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ebopmayoralfund
For further media information, please contact the Whakatāne Public Information Manager on 021 655 163 or email eoc.operations@whakatane.govt.nz

Flood-affected residents who have any concerns or need information should call Whakatāne District Council on 0800 306 0500.

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