Normality slowly floods back to Waimarama residents

Flood-affected coastal communities are starting to recover after the weather bomb which brought flooding and major slips two weeks ago.
In Waimarama, the water supply is now fit for drinking, and residents no longer have to boil water.
Rubbish collectors are likely to finish taking away debris and rubbish from flood-damaged homes in Gillies Cres today.
A suction sweeper and power broom will be used this week, and damaged driveways in Gillies Cres will be repaired with crushed lime.
Residents in the final 500m of Te Apiti Rd can access their properties in 4WD vehicles, but the road remains marginal, and other drivers are recommended to stay away.
Flooding breached the sea crest at Waimarama Domain, a natural sand and shingle barrier, which had been reinforced with planting.
The sea crest has now been replaced, and the council has not yet decided whether to put a culvert through where the crest breached.
Building inspectors are still working to clear homes that had been red-stickered.
Work and Income staff were in Waimarama today to advise residents on seeking financial help, and counselling is still available for Waimarama residents through the council (phone 871 5000).
In Ocean Beach, the road has reopened to residents after being blocked by a slip, but is still slippery when wet, and extreme caution is advised.
The Hastings District Council is working with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council on how to drain away the remaining flood water on roadsides throughout the district.
On farmland, the East Coast Rural Support Trust is co-ordinating the cleanup, which is likely to use Taskforce Green workers to help with fixing fences and other damaged infrastructure.