Flood and quake round-up from across the Bay of Plenty

State of emergency

The civil defence state of emergency will remain in the Whakatane District until 4pm tomorrow when it will be further reviewed. A state of emergency in Opotiki is to be reviewed at 9am today.

Evacuations

Most Whakatane and Edgecumbe residents have been allowed home to secure their property. Residents whose homes are deemed unsafe are expected to spend several more nights in temporary accommodation.

Around 250 Awatapu residents are still not allowed home. Many Thornton homes are still flooded. It may be three to four days before people on the flooded Rangitaiki Plans can return home.

Isolated communities

Helicopters are flying food supplies to isolated rural communities between Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna, Okahu/Ngaputahi and Heipipi/Papereru. Road access to these communities is not expected for at least two weeks.

Road conditions

SH2 between Junction SH2 and SH29 (near Paengaroa) and Matata, closed.

SH2 between Opotiki and Nukuhou North, closed, no alternative route.

SH2 between Taneatua and Nukuhou North, closed, flooding.

SH35 between Opotiki and Omaio, closed, land slip, no alternative route.

School closures

Closed today - Matata primary.

Closed today and tomorrow - Apanui, Edgecumbe, Garaway and Strathmore Kindergartens, Edgecumbe Playcentre, Manui Playcentre, Te Mahoe, Te Arakowhira, Te Anamata in Whakatane, Ruatoki.

Closed until further notice - Thornton School.

Earthquakes

Further road slips occurred after another earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, rocked Lake Rotoma and Lake Rotoiti at 3am yesterday.

More than 200 earthquakes have been recorded in the area since Sunday afternoon.

Farming

Some farmers are being forced to spill stores of milk because tankers have been unable to reach them due to damaged roads.

Farmers with milk that cannot be picked up are asked to call Fonterra for advice on how to dispose of it correctly. PH 0274 735 000.

River levels

Rangitaiki River levels have stabilised at about 4m above normal levels. There is still an enormous amount of floodwater on the Rangitaiki Plains generally.

Insurance

A very high number of flood victims are reported to be uninsured but the insurance council says there is little they can do to help.

Relief funds

Whakatane/Opotiki Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund - donations at BNZ branches.

1XX Flood Relief Fund - donations at ANZ branches or phone 07-308-6239. Red Cross automatic $20 donation - 0900 33100.

Contact numbers

Stopbanks, pumps and river matters: Environment Bay of Plenty, 0800 ENV BOP (368 267)

Water, sewerage, roading and evacuation matters call district councils: Opotiki 07-315-6167, Rotorua 07-348-4199, Whakatane 07-306-0500

Government Flood Freephone: 0800 779 997

Federated Farmers Helpline: 0800 FFLO0D (335663). Missing stock helpline: 0800 264 632

Radio 1XX has information on school and road closures and water supplies 07- 308-6239