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Insurers have logged more than 700 notifications of damage from Whangarei and Far North householders after last week's torrential downpours.
The number is expected to rise during the next few days as absentee holiday home and bach owners return to their properties for the first time since flooding devastated much of the region.
Insurance Council insurance manager John Lucas says the council is urging homeowners whose houses have been damaged to lodge claims as soon as possible.
But damage to outdoor areas such as driveways and paths may not be covered by home insurance policies.
Mr Lucas is also suggesting that absentee owners who have not yet inspected their holiday properties should ask neighbours, friends or family to do a check.
By yesterday, the Far North District Council had placed non-habitation orders on 15 houses in the Bay of Islands.
The Insurance Council says there is provision for temporary accommodation costs to be met for up to six months under many home insurance policies.
Meanwhile, business and tourism operators emphasise that Northland is "open for Easter".
Destination Northland manager Robyn Bolton says all the area's major tourism attractions are operating and all key routes are open.
Only a handful of tourism activities were damaged in the floods but by this weekend visitors can expect all to be operating at, or close to, business as usual.
The "gateway" to the Bay of Islands from Auckland and Whangarei - State Highway 11A from Kawakawa to Opua - reopened yesterday afternoon for all traffic.
The Far North council has lifted its warning to people in Paihia, Opua, Waitangi and Kawakawa to boil their drinking water.
But health warnings remain advising people not to swim or collect shellfish in Whangarei Harbour or Bay of Islands waters because of likely contamination from floodwater runoff and sewage spills.
Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp says repairs to all infrastructural services such as water and sewerage are on track and the region is ready for the Easter influx.
Drivers using Whangarei and Far North back roads affected by flooding, slips or wash-outs are urged to take extreme care, especially in the Helena Bay, Oakura and Bland Bay areas on the old Russell Road.
Northland police will patrol regional roads during the weekend targeting drinking drivers, speeding, those not wearing seatbelts and unsafe passing.
