Helicopters deliver supplies to flood stranded farms

NZ Herald

23 Jun, 2015 10:19 PM3 mins to read

NOW PLAYING • Flood damage around Whanganui

Some homes in the Waitotara and Tangahoe Valleys are still without power after floods hit the region over the weekend. ...

Between 20 and 25 families remain stranded on their South Taranaki farms, while many roads remain closed throughout flood damaged areas.

Some homes in the Waitotara and Tangahoe Valleys are still without power after floods hit the region over the weekend.

Federated Farmers Taranaki spokeswoman Bronwyn Muir said supplies were being helicoptered in, and most families had reported having enough food to get by.

"The next few days will be making sure that they've got fresh supplies"

She said in some areas farmers were unable to check on their stock, which was a big concern.

"It's going to be a long haul out of this one," Ms Muir said.

"A substantial amount of capital investment will be needed just to get basic tracks up and running again."

She said federated Farmers was in constant contact with the families, and the farmers were very stoic - carrying on with what they had to do.

Taranaki Civil Defence controller David Lean estimated two thousand people had been affected by flooding in the region in a negative way.

Aerial photographs of flooding in Taranaki. Photo / Supplied

"We've established contact with everyone the we believe is affected," he said.

Civil Defence was in the process of appointing a recovery manager, and Mr Lean said it could be a matter of months before some of the roads and bridges were fixed in areas like the Waitotara Valley, where the river flooded to 14 metres above its usual level.

Despite adverse conditions and road blockages causing isolation, Mr Lean said farmers remained resilient.

"Some of them don't go to town for weeks or a month, so it's just business as usual."

For motorists, State Highway 43 between Stratford and Taumaranui remains closed until further notice due to flooding. State Highway 4 between Raetihi and Whanganui is closed due to multiple slips, flooding and fallen trees. Cautions are in place along much of on State Higway 3, between Whanganui and Bulls, and the Whangaehu River Bridge is now open, but with a 30km/h speed restriction.

Saturday's rainfall lead to a state of emergency in Taranaki. Photo / Supplied

On State Highway 1 between Bulls and Mangaweka, part of the road is reduced to one lane due to a slip, and motorists are advised to take extra care.

Further east, State Highway 54 between Vinegar Hill and Cheltenham remains closed for flooding, with a detour in place, and further south the Manawatu Gorge is closed until further notice due to multiple slips.

Civil Defence minister Nikki Kaye is visiting flood affected areas today.

Starting in Whanganui, she will then travel to Waiotara to meet with residents at the Waitotara Hotal and Store at 10.30am.