13 March 2018, 9.15pm

Tairawhiti Civil Defence pleased with response

Less rain and wind than forecast from ex-cyclone Hola turned out positively for the Gisborne district.

Tairawhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management Group manager Louise Bennett said this morning the region had come through relatively unscathed.

“While the rainfall and river rises were not what was modelled, it is always good to prepare for the worst and be glad when the worst doesn’t happen. There was a lot of unpredictability in the forecast and our actions were based on a model that in time did not eventuate.

“We are pleased the district did not incur major damage.”

In the 24 hours to 8am, wind gusts reached 77km/hour at Hicks Bay at 3am today and between 60 and 65km/hour in Gisborne and Tolaga Bay.

Rainfall levels were highest in the area just north of Tolaga Bay with 117mm. Gisborne city had 50mm with 103mm northwest of the city. A few residents north of Tolaga were affected by power outages.

Mrs Bennett praised the people who had prepared well for the advent of cyclonic weather and the Civil Defence community link groups, emergency services and Gisborne District Council staff and contractors, all of whom were ready for action.

The weather warnings and watches are now cancelled.
ends

© Scoop Media