No food supply issues in Northland; Civil Defence

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group says there are no issues with food supplies reaching the region.

Group spokesman Graeme MacDonald says while a media report had today suggested storm-related damage to the region’s roading network meant food supply issues into the mid-North were worsening, that was not the case.

Mr MacDonald says Civil Defence has no concerns about food supplies. While it involved long diversions, goods trucks were still able to reach virtually all parts of the region and deliveries were being made.

He says roading authorities are working hard to fixed roading damage and aimed to have one badly slip-affected section of State Highway One south of Kawakawa operational again within days.

Mr MacDonald says while at the height of the storm, some supermarkets may have got low on a few items, they had quickly been restocked once the storm had ended.

In the Far North, while some isolated communities had effectively been cut off by the storm, contact had been made with them, the welfare of people in them was being closely monitored and food and other essentials could be provided as needed. Civil Defence officials planned to visit those communities again today.

He says in the Far North, anyone whose home is flooded or who urgently needs accommodation, food, heating, clothing or medical supplies should phone Far North District Council’s freephone 0800 920 029 in the first instance. (The Whangarei District Council has a similar service for those needing help in its district; 0800 932 463.)

ENDS

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