Hawke's Bay Civil Defence controller says sixty-seven homes are not habitable after the Napier flood and expects that figure to rise.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says discussions with government over financial support will be ongoing. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Officials in Napier have been meeting this morning to discuss the next steps as the clean-up in the flood-ravaged city kicks up another gear.
Ian McDonald told Midday Report of the 67 homes not habitable, 22 had severe damage and would need to be pulled down. One had been totally destroyed.
Most of those were located on the hill in Napier, he said. He expected those numbers to increase.
He also revealed Napier City Council is appointing a recovery manager to oversee activities helping people into accommodation and fixing homes that can be salvaged.
"This is probably months' worth of recovery," he said.
Earlier, Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the housing crisis in Napier will make finding longer-term accommodation for flood victims harder, but that all options are being looked at.
Wise said nearly 330 properties had been inspected.
On Tuesday evening an influx of evacuees meant a motel in Hastings was used to host people, after the evacuation centre in Napier filled up.
Wise told Morning Report there where 100 people listed in evacuation centres and assessments were underway to determine how long they would need emergency accommodation.
Agencies would be meeting to find longer-term options for people, but she said there was no risk of them being put out on to the street.
"The majority of them are in our own council-run facility, Kennedy Park, and we've actually made a commitment that they can stay there for as long as they need to while we look for longer-term options."
Kāinga Ora and Ministry of Social Development staff were looking at longer-term options, but with the housing shortage and many families currently on a waiting list for housing, sourcing accommodation had its difficulties, she said.
"All options will be considered. We have a number of motels and accommodation provided here in Napier that are already housing those on the emergency list. So there is an option there if they have spare units there at the moment."
Safety assessments are also under way to determine whether houses will be torn down after 13 homes were seemed severely damaged by the flood, she said.
Wise said the government allocation of $100,000 towards emergency relief was a starting point and that there would be ongoing discussions over further financial requirements.
"We are trying to quantify what the likely financial implications are for our most impacted community members and the $100,000 is just great to be able to get in quickly for those who need that welfare support immediately."
MetService stated the weather system that caused the damage had moved offshore, and dry warm weather was forecast for Napier until Monday.