Edgecumbe homes inspected for damage

About 130 flood-affected Edgecumbe residents will be able to return to their homes today. File Photo.

UPDATED 12.40PM: Building inspectors are continuing to do checks around Edgecumbe on properties not already cleared.

A Whakatane District Council spokesperson says they plan to finish these inspections by Wednesday.

'They will be placing stickers indicating whether buildings are safe (white), restricted access (yellow) or unsafe for access at this stage (red).

'Red status doesn't automatically mean homes will be uninhabitable, they are just unsafe at this stage.”

Inspectors will leave information for those who are able to return to their homes and people can call freephone number 0800 306 0500 to check on the status of their home.

With a severe weather warning in place, Bay of Plenty Regional Council's flood management team has been working with Metservice around what it could mean for the region this morning.

The regional council's flood schemes are designed for the forecasted weather and it is reassuring the community that a number of precautions are being taken, says the spokesperson.

'It is working closely with Trustpower to lower the Matahina dam to the lowest levels ever recorded. Its pumps along the Rangitaiki are going full speed to remove water from flooded areas and there are ongoing inspections of the stop banks.

'The regional council expects the bulk of the rain is going to arrive Thursday and it looks like coastal communities are going to be hit the worst.”

Severe gales are also predicted along the coast which will likely lead to storm surges and flooding of coastal margins.

The spokesperson says should there be a need for further evacuations in the Edgecumbe area due to the weather, warnings will be issued as soon as possible.

Edgecumbe residents will be alerted to any evacuations by fire station sirens sounding continuously and by emergency services vehicles driving round with sirens on.

While those who have or are going back to their homes can register for emergency text alerts by texting WH to 2028.

'People should be prepared for evacuations – if you have to go decide where you will go (friends and family), what to take, how to contact each other, and how you will evacuate pets.

'Farmers are advised to move stock to higher ground from low lying areas before noon Wednesday 12 April.”

Due to the risk of contamination from flood waters, a boil water notice remains in effect for the entire Rūātoki and the Rangitāiki Plains areas, including Edgecumbe, and people in these areas should bring water to a rapid boil for at least one minute to make it safe to drink.

EARLIER:

About 130 flood-affected Edgecumbe residents will be able to return to their homes today.

A Whakatane District Council spokesperson says people will be able to return to their homes in north Edgecumbe – College Road north of Rata Avenue – from 8am.

'Access will be from West Bank Road. Wastewater, water and power are due to be back on in this area tomorrow and any updates will be published on the Whakatane District Council website.”

Areas south of State Highway 2 at Edgecumbe will also be assessed today to see if any are safe to return to.

About 46 residents with properties in the south-eastern section of Edgecumbe – Hydro Road, Nikau Place, Miro Place and Konini Place – started returning to their home on Monday.

Their properties all have an available water supply, but still have limited wastewater services at this time.

'These residents are being provided with packs containing information on safety and health issues, such as water and wastewater use. The cordon on Awakeri Road has been moved to the bridge to allow access to the reoccupied area.

'For people in Hydro Road and the streets that come off it who are allowed home, we're asking they access their streets via Western Drain Road and McCracken Road.”

In the coming days the Whakatane District Council is aiming to reopen areas of Edgecumbe not subject to flooding, just as soon as water supplies have been restored and areas have been declared safe by health authorities.

In regards to damaged properties, the Urban Search and Rescue task force carried out rapid damage assessments of properties south of State Highway 2 on Monday.

Building inspectors will start doing full checks in this area and through the rest of Edgecumbe tomorrow that has not already been cleared or is looking OK, says the spokesperson.

'That will help determine whether the homes can be lived in again. We're working on a system for alerting people to the results of building inspections.”

The district council is also changing where people can register for assisted access to their properties that can't yet be lived in but are OK to access.

The spokesperson says there will now be a single registration centre the Awakeri Event Centre on SH30, which will be open 9am daily.

'The reason we're doing this is to have one single point for the delivery of consistent information.

'Police are re-iterating that access isn't intended to be for multiple visits. People are asked to get essentials on one trip rather than request to keep going back. That helps us prioritise those who haven't had access yet.”

But the spokesperson warns this is a situation that can change as new information comes to hand.

'Sometimes we'll be able to open things up a bit quicker, sometimes things will go a bit slower than we expected. We'll try to ensure that information is always as up to date as possible but things can and do change.”

WEATHER

With the potential heavy rain forecast for later in the week, the council says there is a need for further evacuations in the Edgecumbe area they expect to have plenty of warning.

'Residents will be alerted by fire station sirens sounding continuously and by emergency services vehicles driving round with sirens on. That will be the signal to move.”

People who have returned to their homes can register for emergency text alerts by texting WH to 2028. You should get a text back confirming registration.

The district council is reminding flood affected residents whose homes are damaged but have not yet registered their details with them to call its free phone number, 0800 306 0500.

People who are currently staying in motels and other temporary accommodation who've been asked to vacate in the coming days should also contact 0800 306 0500 and give full details of their situation to our customer service staff.

Residents in need of animal welfare support should call 0800 306 0500.

Evacuees who have registered with the district council because they've indicated they have accommodation needs will be contacted as soon as possible.

If your need is urgent call 07 306 2013 extension 7327. However, the councils encourages people to support family and others in need.

If evacuees haven't registered already, Whakatane District Council encourages all evacuees in the region to register online at www.whakatane.govt.nz

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