Editorial: Time for Hawke's Bay to help our own

The misery being experienced by residents in parts of Hawke's Bay worst hit by last week's extreme weather is not immediately apparent to the rest of us.

Coastal dwellers, particularly those in Waimarama, Ocean Beach and the coast-facing farms of Central Hawke's Bay have been devastated.

Hawke's Bay Today has done its best to tell their stories and publish pictures of the chaos they are attempting to deal with but the reality on the ground is far worse than we imagine.

Dwellings have been wiped out. Homes are covered in silt. Properties are knee-deep in mud. Waimarama has no safe drinking water.

Our coastal settlements are feeling isolated and wondering whether their cousins in the twin cities fully realise the extent of the devastation they are attempting to deal with.

It is, say those who have been allowed into Waimarama and Ocean Beach, every bit as bad as the liquefaction that buried homes in Christchurch earlier this year.

These Bay residents need help every bit as much as those whose homes were damaged in Christchurch. It is time for the community to mobilise and the opportunity is there for volunteers to join the coastal clean-up this weekend.

If you are fit and able, register as a volunteer by phoning the Hastings District Council on 871 5000 or online at www.hastingsdc.govt.nz

All you'll need is a shovel or spade, a wheelbarrow if you have one, rolled-up sleeves and determination to help.

You will be told when and where to report to be bussed to the areas most in need.

While the need is urgent, do not attempt to drive out to the coastal villages yourself. This mercy mission is being run by those with the means to get assistance to where it is most needed in a co-ordinated manner.

The damage has been done and now it is time for the Bay to show its resilience and to help our own.