What's Happening

13 November 2009, 3:00pm

Evacuations
There are 280 evacuees at McLean Park and Central School has been opened to take the overflow. Hotels are being contacted regarding providing accommodation for several days until they can go home.

Road closures
Closures remain in place through the City. A tree has blocked the Waiohiki Bridge.

Beachfront erosion - some beach front erosion has occurred at Bay View in the Ferguson St area. This may get worse at high tide.

Emergency response/Current situation UPDATE

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Services are coping with the current flooding situation.
Evacuations have proceeded as planned and welfare centres are set up and managing evacuees.
Road closures continue (update to follow) but drivers are advised to only make essential trips while the flooding and the roading situation continues.

People NOT in evacuated zones are required to stay at home and keep listening to the radio.

No rubbernecking in flooded areas as that adds to the problem.

If people think they are in any danger they should phone 111 Emergency.
General health information is available from all local city and district councils websites or contact direct.

Rainfall
Rainfall in Hawke's Bay is easing.

Rivers
Nuhaka River has peaked and levels are dropping
Wairoa River - has level off, water below SH2 and SH38 in 4-6 hours
Esk River has peaked with level of flooding under control and as expected
Ngaruroro has levelled off
Tutaekuri - following stopbank breach flooding is under control, with level of flooding as expected
Karamu/Awanui - levelled off
Porangahau - has yet to peak

Chemical Incident - Fire Service
NZ Fire Services has responded to a mixed chemical spill at Roys Hill following a truck accident, and the clean up is under way.

Welfare
McLean Park Napier welfare centre is full.  People are now being directed to Central School.
Wairoa evacuation centres are the Mormon Chapel and Memorial Hall.
Hastings Evacuation centre is the Hastings Racecourse.

13 November 2009, 2:50pm

Washout at Makaretu Bridge

There is a washout at Makaretu Bridge on State Highway 50 in Central Hawke's Bay. Patrols are being dispatched to the area and barrier signs will being erected. Central FM has been notified to broadcast alternative routes via Nelson and Burnside Roads and State Highway 50.

13 November 2009, 2:50pm

EVACUATION COMPLETED

The evacuation at Whakaki east has been successfully completed. All evacuees have been settled at the Mormon Church in Mahia. Any public seeking information about family please ring the welfare officer at the central evacuation centre at the Wairoa War Memorial Hall.

13 November 2009, 2:16pm

Accident on Wairoa Bridge

There is a traffic accident at the Wairoa township bridge. The public is asked to stay away from the accident site so that the emergency services can safely secure the area and attend the people in the accident.

13 November 2009, 2:16pm

Hohepa Homes Evacuation Information

Hohepa Home, Clive has self evacuated 58 residents and 40 staff in anticipation of any potential flooding in the area.

The evacuated in cars and vans to Poraiti, their second base, as per their prepared evacuation plan.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management no longer have concerns about flooding in Clive but say that it was sensible for Hohepa Homes to take precautionary action with so many people in their care. 

13 November 2009, 2:05pm

Central Hawke's Bay Update

The current situation in the Porangahau/ Te Paerahi region in Central Hawke's Bay is that the river is expected to peak between 1400 and 1600 hours today. The latest weather forecast indicates, however,  that there is a decrease in the wind and rain.
All residents from Porangahau and Te Paerahi Beach have been safely evacuated and are being cared for.
Any residents wishing to enquire about family and friends can ring the CHB District Council where a list of evacuees is available.

13 November 2009, 1:50pm

ROAD CLOSURES - WAIROA

An accident which closed Bridge Street and Mahia Avenue is still being cleaned up. The road has been reopened to traffic but the movement is very slow. SH 38 to Ardkeen and SH 2 at the Ramarama culvert at Whakaki are closed. The public is asked to avoid travelling unless necessary.

13 November 2009, 1:50pm

NGARURORO RIVER

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management advise that the situation in Clive has been closely monitored and is not likely to worsen.

The Ngaruroro River is not a flood threat to homes and surrounding areas.

13 November 2009, 1:50pm

AUTHORISED CIVIL DEFENCE MESSAGE FOR BROADCAST

FLOOD SITUATION - WATER STORAGE IN HASTINGS

AIR TIME:            As advised by CD

REPEATS:             As often as possible within the next 2 hours.

INTRO:  CD STING

Residents of the rural surrounds of Hastings should be taking steps to conserve water ahead of any potential contamination of the water supply.

Please fill your bath or any other available containers with fresh water.

Residents with septic tanks should keep the use of water to a minimum to reduce overloading of the septic tanks and consequent sewage on the lawn.

Please remain tuned to this station.  Further important Civil Defence announcements about the emergency will follow shortly.

FLOOD WARNING - WELFARE AND HEALTH

AIR TIME:            Station free to broadcast after formal flood warning issued by CD Officer

REPEATS:             IMMEDIATE USE in the next 4 hours AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE

INTRO:  CD Sting

1. The contact number for Department of Social Welfare welfare advice is 0800 0000
2. Water will sit around for 2-4 days, so there will be limited road access.
3. Health safety information is available from your local district or city council regarding water contamination, boiling water for drinking, washing etc
4. People using generators at home for power need to take precautions against carbon monoxide fume poisoning.

13 November 2009, 1:05pm

WAIROA EVACUATION

The Awatere stream at Wairoa is flooding and three houses on Frasertown Road require evacuation. The flooding has gone through the Carters' yards and Glengarry House. The emergency services are currently responding to the emergency. Anybody that has family in the Glengarry house should contact the welfare officer at the Wairoa evacuation centre at the Mormon Chapel and Memorial Hall for further information.   

13 November 2009, 1:05pm

Napier evacuations and road closures

Napier City Council has advised that there is flooding in the Taradale areas of Neeve Road, Churchill Drive and Guppy Road near Tutaekuri River, and Bay View

200 people have been evacuated from Bay View and the Riversdale Retirement Village in Guppy Road.

The following roads have been closed:
. SH2 at Awatoto
. SH50 at Expressway
. Brookfields Road
. SH2 at Bay View

The only southern access to Napier is via Waiohiki Bridge.

13 November 2009, 1:08pm

URGENT MESSAGE MAN IN RIVER

Emergency services are advising that a man has fallen into the Wairoa river adjacent to the Wairoa bridge. Police are asking that the public stay away from the river while they run a search of the river and banks for sign of the man. The public is reminded to stay away from rivers and stay inside unless advised otherwise by the civil emergency services.

13 November 2009, 12:25pm

ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO ACCIDENT

There has been an accident in Wairoa township at the corner of Bridge Street and Mahia Avenue. The emergency services are currently attending the accident. The road is closed until further notice from the Police. The public is asked to avoid going down the near the accident

Avoid swimming in flood waters             
The Civil Defence controllers are reminding people that it is dangerous to allow children to play in the flooding waters or streets. There is the possibility of sewage and harmful substances in the water, as well as the strong flow of water during flooding. The public is asked to keep their children and themselves safe inside until further notice.

13 November 2009, 12:14pm

STOPBANK BREACH

Tutaekuri River Stopbank is likely to be breached shortly after midday. 

This will affect Pakowhai and 95 people have been evacuated.  Roadblocks are in place at the Meaanee Expressway, Links Road, Evenden Road, Brookfields Road, Chesterhope Bridge, Waitangi Road and Clive.

Emergency services staff are going door to door informing residents of the evacuation.

It is envisaged that the area will remain flooded for a number of days. 

Authorities are seeking to minimise power outages but they may be required to protect important sub-stations in the area.

People NOT in the evacuated zones are required to stay at home and keep listening to the radio.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Civil Defence Emergency Group has the made the decision to breach the stopbank to prevent further damage and contain the flooding in a controlled manner as much as possible. All resources are being used to monitor the situation and ensure that public safety is paramount.

If people think they are in any danger they should phone 111 Emergency.

13 November 2009, 12:00pm

Emergency response/Current situation

. Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group EOC declared at
. Wairoa District Council CDEM declared at 0720hr. 
. CHB District Council CDEM declared at 1000hr. 
. Napier City Council CDEM Activated. 
. Hastings District Council CDEM Activated.

GENERAL SITUATION
Widespread heavy rain across most of Hawke's Bay region and rain is continuing.
Rising river levels, saturated ground will result in unstable hill slopes, flooding over plains and low lying areas. Inundation is anticipated in low lying coastal areas with the high tide

POWER - There have been some electricity outages at Ridgemount, Waikare Road, Patoka, SH5 beyond Te Horato, Hastings by Karamu Road Sth being handled by Unison

Wairoa District
. Nuhaka and Mahia Peninsula cut off
. Nuhaka township has evacuated to the Mormon Chapel where welfare needs are being taken care of.
. Surface  flooding in Nuhaka township, Awa St
. Flooding at SH 38 Waikaremoana, Road, closed SH2 at Caf 287 south of Wairoa
. Still possible to access from Wairoa to Nuhaka

Hastings District
. Regional Council will be breaching the south stopbank opposite Guppy Road to release flood waters.  Residents in the Pakowhai Road area between Chesterhope Bridge and the Expressway have been advised to evacuate to either Hastings Racecourse or McLean Park Napier.
. Truck crash SH50 Roy's Hill -  Do not use groundwater for any purpose within 300m of the truck crash until further notice due to potential contamination.
. Esk Valley is evacuating to Hukurere.
. State Highway 5 is closed at Bayview and at Taupo end
. Residents in the Maraekakaho, Kaiapo Road and Clive should be preparing to evacuate - a decision will be made and residents will be notified by emergency services if evacuation necessary.

Napier City
. Taradale, Tamatea and Greenmeadows have experienced heavy rainfall, pump stations are struggling at capacity to clear flood waters.
. Intermittent power outages.

Central Hawke's Bay District
. Porangahau Stream rising.  Residents will be evacuated from 12 noon and will be taken to the Old Hill Road Woolsheds.
. Alternate routes are operating
. Impassable routes are barricaded

13 November 2009, 11.42am

UPDATE - FLOODING IN WAIROA DISTRICT

Whakaki Evacuation
Floodwaters have breached the Ramarama Culvert at Whakaki.

Whakaki residents should be moving to the following evacuation centres:

For residents north of the Ramarama Culvert please evacuate to the Mormon Chapel, SH2

For residents south of the Ramarama Culvert please evacuate to the Wairoa Memorial Hall.

Whakaki residents should follow the instructions given by Emergency Services and CDEM staff in the area.

If you need assistance, alert evacuation staff by displaying a sheet or towel out a window or gate that can be seen from the road.   They will assist you as quickly as they can.
Take as few possessions as you need for your immediate use.   Take valuables, prescription medicines, and important documents.  Store non-essential but important items in the roofspace of your home.  Take care of pets and animals.

CDEM Centres
CDEM Centres have been setup at:

. War Memorial Hall, Wairoa
. Te Mahia School, Te Mahia

13 November 2009, 11.00am

Hawke's Bay CDEMG declared a Civil Defence emergency at 10.15am as a result of the extraordinary weather conditions and extreme flooding region wide.

All people in low lying areas are urged to prepare for self-evacuation to higher ground.

Please keep listening to local radio stations for regular updates on conditions and events.

Of major concern is the Tutaekuri River with flood levels increasing rapidly.  Consideration is being made to breach the south stopbank opposite Guppy Road which will flood the Pakowhai area between the Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro Rivers.  The decision of the need to make the breach will be made around 12 midday.

This will close the expressway and Pakowhai Road between Chesterhope and Tutaekuri Bridges.

In the meantime everyone in this area are urged to evacuate either to Hastings Racecourse or McLean Park, Napier, whichever is most convenient. 

On leaving their premises people should leave a note for emergency services to say that the premises are clear.

Those people who are unable to return to their home addresses in this area are to register at the regulating centres at the racecourse or McLean Park.

Napier Police are coordinating the evacuation of the intended flooded area.

Friday 13 November 2009; 11.00am


FLOOD WARNING FOR WHAKAKI

A Civil Defence Flood Warning has been issued for the Whakaki area.
Evacuation
Whakaki residents are advised to begin evacuation to the Mormon Chapel on SH2.

Whakaki residents should follow the instructions given by Emergency Services and CDEM staff in the area.

If you need assistance, alert evacuation staff by displaying a sheet or towel out a window or gate that can be seen from the road.   They will assist you as quickly as they can.
Take as few possessions as you need for your immediate use.   Take valuables, prescription medicines, and important documents.  Store non-essential but important items in the roofspace of your home.  Take care of pets and animals.
If you are able to assist with the evacuation, please contact CDEM personnel working in your area.

Central Hawke's Bay District Council declared a Civil Defence Emergency at 10.00am, 13 November 2009 in order for the safe evacuation of flooded areas - in particular Te Paerahi (Porangahau Beach) and Porangahau Village.