Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
Waikanae and Midway beaches in Gisborne are closed this week while forestry companies clear them of tonnes of wood debris deposited by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Gisborne District Council has issued a warning telling residents to stay away from all beaches and rivers, with no swimming, fishing or shellfish gathering until Saturday.
Meanwhile, water - though safe to drink - is still in short supply.
Gisborne residents are asked to restrict water use to drinking, short showers/hygiene, food preparation and washing necessary clothing.
"Any discolouration is due to low reservoir levels and switching to our alternate supply, but please fill out an e-Fix Request so we can investigate any issues," a council spokesperson said.
Free untreated water for cleaning flood-damaged iteams can be collected from Wash'n Go in Carnavon Street from 9am-4pm weekdays and 10am-3pm weekends.
Here is the latest from the council and Civil Defence for the region.
Roads
- SH2 Gisborne to Opotiki open 7am - 7pm to all traffic.
- SH2 Gisborne to Wairoa open.
- SH2 Napier to Wairoa remains closed. It will be some time before Gisborne people will be able to easily drive to Napier.
- SH35 Tolaga Bay to Te Puia Springs closed with a bridge out. An alternative is being worked on but will take time.
- Local roads - the rural network has many closures and caution is required. The Tiniroto bypass (the Parikanapa Road bypass between Waerenga-o-Kuri and Tiniroto) is closed due to the rain overnight. Howeverthe Kotare Bridge in Ruakituri is fixed, so access from Tiniroto to Wairoa is available.
"Be aware that tomos or sink holes can appear at any time so please drive carefully on all roads," the Gisborne District Council said in a statement on Thursday.
Silt disposal sites
Householders can dump silt from residential clean-ups at the Dunstan Road disposal site, open every day.
"Please ensure silt is dry. If silt is mixed in with other materials like green waste or other flood-damaged property, it won't be accepted."
There is rural, commercial/industry silt disposal at Matokitoki Clean Fill and Quarry, Monday to Friday. Protective gear is required.
Welfare centres
Te Poho o Rawiri Marae is an information hub. Services available:
- Support for traumatised whanau
- Emergency grants and benefit payments from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
- Registered nurse - health checks for people who can't visit their GP
- Inland Revenue
- Kāinga Ora housing
- Food packs
Waharoa on Peel Street (opposite the library) has mental health support for whanau, information and welfare support.
Manawaru in Elgin Shopping Centre has information for whanau and a shuttle to transport people from the Elgin Community into the CBD.
Ministry of Social Development
Benefit payments have been paid. Anyone impacted by the cyclone can apply for Civil Defence payments.
MSD is based at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae and Supergrans, 2 Pitt Street.
Help for businesses
Trust Tairawhiti Business Hub on the Esplanade is open and connected seven days a week, 8am to 5pm, for support to businesses and communities.
Food
Please don't buy more than you need - think of others.
If you cannot get food from the supermarket, there are emergency food packs and ready meals available. You will be asked to complete a Civil Defence needs assessment form.
Emergency food is available from:
- Supergrans, 2 Pitt Street, Food parcels 9am - 1pm daily
- Te Poho o Rawiri Marae - hot meals and food packs available.
For the latest Civil Defence updates go to the Gisborne CDEM page, or listen to the radio:
- RNZ 101.3 or 97.3FM, or 1314AM
- Tūranga FM 91.7FM
- Radio Ngāti Porou 93.3FM OR 98.5FM (East Coast only)
- More FM 98.9FM or 90.1FM