The Civil Defence local state of emergency declared by Central Hawke’s Bay District Council remains in force.

Mayor Peter Butler has met with the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon David Carter, and the Wairarapa MP, John Hayes, over the weekend to assess the damage done by the weather bomb. A meeting was also held today with MAF, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hastings District Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Work & Income NZ, Rural Support East Coast and the Hawke’s Bay Primary Producer’s Adverse Events Trust to discuss a coordinated approach of recovery assistance for farmers.

Mayor Butler has set up a Central Hawke’s Bay Mayoral Relief Fund as the immense scale of the impact becomes clearer.

“I’ve seen the devastation first hand. We have farmers and beach residents who have lost houses and land. At the moment we are concentrating on keeping people safe and out of dangerous areas, clearing slips, and repairing roads. The Regional Council, Geo-tech scientists, Council staff and Infracon contractors are assessing the safety of roads, bridges, and unstable land and then we’ll know more. Our thanks must go to emergency services and staff who are working from daylight till dark, and also thanks to all those affected citizens who have been very patient while damage is assessed”

The coastal communities of Blackhead, Pourerere, Mangakuri, Aramoana, and Kairakau have been hardest hit. 23 adults and 5 children were registered through the Civil Defence Welfare Centre after being evacuated from the coast. Good will and heartening stories have been evident with local businesses offering free accommodation for evacuees and the local Countdown Waipukurau even offering breakfasts to a few hungry displaced locals. A dramatic flight to drop off an oxygen bottle to a stranded resident at the coast was just one story that has pulled the community together.

Several houses and caravan sites at Pourerere Beach, Kairakau Beach and Blackhead Beach have had red and yellow cards issued because of safety reasons ranging from unstable slips threatening houses to clogged up gully traps and effluent systems. Red cards mean imminent danger and owners must contact Council to receive permission to enter the property. Yellow cards means the house has sewerage issues or damage. Some property owners have been concerned that a ‘red’ card means the house must be demolished, however this is not the case. A meeting will be held tonight (2 May 2011) for Pourerere beach south property owners to talk about “next steps” re their properties at 5.30pm at the Waipawa Primary School hall.

95% of the affected roads are now accessible; however, there are still several manned roadblocks to limit access to the public. Authorised Access Forms for residents wanting to carry out essential flood/storm recovery work on their properties in restricted areas must be obtained from Council. Anyone arriving at cordons without the appropriate authorisation will not be permitted access. The following roads are closed, with manned road blocks in place: Long Range Road – top of Bunkers Hill Blackhead Road at Stoddards Farm Kairakau Road at Waipuna Farm Kairakau Road west of township (closed at night) Pourerere Beach Road at beach entrance Clareinch Road at Pourerere Road intersection Other roads remaining closed are: Gibraltar Road, Blackhead Road (Rangitoto to Long Range Road), Mangakuri Road and Te Apiti Road.

Beach Access:

Pourerere beach south – NO ACCESS- Closed to everyone Pourerere beach middle – LIMITED ACCESS- property owners only Pourerere beach north – open Blackhead beach – LIMITED ACCESS- property owners only Aramoana beach – NO ACCESS (farmers only along beach from Pourerere) Mangakuri beach and Clareinch Road – LIMITED ACCESS (from Clareinch road end) - property owners only Kairakau beach – LIMITED ACCESS – foot traffic only - property owners only- Road CLOSED at night

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