The worst-hit area in Levin has been mapped out and designated under the Building Act in a bid to make the tornado recovery more efficient.
The government and Horowhenua District Council have each put $100,000 into a fund for clean-up and restoration after the tornado. Photo: Supplied / Horowhenua District Council
The storm wreaked havoc in the Horowhenua town yesterday, ripping off roofs, damaging properties and downing trees.
Levin is in clean-up mode today with the help of more than 250 volunteers.
Horowhenua Civil Defence Emergency Management Local Controller Daniel Haigh said officials have formalised special powers to enter buildings that need to be assessed.
He said it means they can enter buildings that were in the tornado's path and advise on work needed to get them back to a habitable standard.
Haigh said four families stayed in motels last night and four more stayed with family and friends.
The area designated under the Building Act. Photo: Supplied by Horowhenua District Council
"The Urban Search and Rescue team carried out initial rapid assessments of affected buildings yesterday and Council's Building Advisor Officers will now carry out further assessments to understand the severity of damage," the Horowhenua District Council said in a statement.
Under the Building Act the council has the power to carry out work to or demolish any buildings that pose an immediate risk to life or risk damage or disruption to neighbouring buildings or public thoroughfares.
The Building Act also means the council can require building owners to provide necessary information such as engineering assessments to determine risk and that it can require buildings to be repaired or demolished on a case by case basis.