KEY POINTS:
A state of emergency remains in force in Taranaki, despite power being restored to the area, which was struck by a swarm of tornadoes last night.
About 7000 consumers had their power disconnected last night after at least six tornadoes ripped through the area, trampling houses, trees and power poles.
The state of emergency was declared in the region and many people were stranded from their homes.
Powerco Network operations manager Ross Dixon said the power supply had been restored in parts of Oakura, Waitara, Opunake, Urenui, Normanby, Rata and Raetihi.
Damage to the network was extensive and included a large number of poles and lines down across roads and private property.
Lightning had also struck the network causing a number of faults, Mr Dixon said.
Anyone who saw overhead lines down should keep well clear, treat them as live at all times and report them to Powerco immediately, he said.
The company recommended that people who were medically dependent on electricity and were without power should contact their GPs or medical providers, or if the situation was an emergency should call for an ambulance without delay, Mr Dixon said.
Power had been restored to the Rahoutu and Kapuni water treatment plants in South Taranaki.
However, a Taranaki Civil Defence spokesman said residents were being asked to conserve water over the weekend to allow the reservoirs to refill and because further disruption to the water supply might continue throughout the weekend.
There might be some initial discolouration in the water and Civil Defence strongly advised people to boil water if it was discoloured.
The spokesman advised people without power to practise good food safety.
Perishable food should be eaten first, all food should be cooked thoroughly and rotten food should be thrown out before it tainted other food, the spokesman said.
- NZPA
