Hangaroa hanging on

For Hangaroa the new low level bridge linking families at Bushy Knoll to civilisation was the major point of interest. This rain event was the first test for the new temporary low level bridge. Picture supplied

Hangaroa residents are on high alert after rain continues to pelt down across the region.

Resident Alex Campbell said the continuous downpour had caused the road passing through the Hangaroa Bluffs to be closed due to slips at the entrance.

“The main concern is if the river has eroded the road  again. It is yet to be inspected,” Mr Campbell said.

“Further slipping of the hills has occurred but the land for now seems to have held on. The ground is absolutely saturated and it’s not long before more erosion happens.”

Mr Campbell said if the area received more heavy rain as forecast this weekend, it would be a tense situation for an already stressed and waterlogged community.

As a farmer who co-manages the Awapapa station, he said the farming community  had enough reasons to worry.

While the relatively mild weather at the moment is keeping the grass growing, a saturated soil base has had a  negative effect on pasture quality and grazing efficiency,  which had an impact on livestock, he said.

But it wasn’t all bad news for locals as the “main structure” of the new bridge linking the Bushy Knoll road families stood  steadfast, despite a massive volume of water gushing down the overflowing river.

“This is a blessing in that the main structure is intact as was designed,” Campbell said.

Residents woke up this morning to find the bridge standing with only “the approaches being washed away”.

“The heavy rain yesterday afternoon made us go into high alert as the storm was gaining a momentum similar-to cycloneGabrielle but didn’t quite reach the same intensity, fortunately.

“This rain event was the first test for the new temporary low level bridge and the approaches are not a significant hurdle to reinstate.

“For today it is a matter of watching the weather forecast and trusting the further predicted rain doesn’t eventuate. Power and internet has remained on overnight which is a blessing within the circumstances.”

Mr Campbell said the roading teams had been exceptional at restoring access since the destructive effect of the cyclone.

“Undoubtedly this is another challenge for them. We just have to trust that nature will not undo too much of the good work that they have undertaken.”