6 April 6:45 pm

Due to issues with the Taneatua sewerage system, consumers in Taneatua town are being asked to reduce waste water immediately by flushing toilets as little as possible and limiting showers and baths wherever possible.​

6 April 6:25 pm

Water supply and water treatment updates

Plains water

• Awakeri reservoir level is very low and water outage has been reported
• Thornton residents have reported water outages
• Te Teko water pump station and reservoir are off line due to high turbidity
• Low pressure reported at Putiki booster pump station
• Staff investigating Te Teko to determine if the water supply can be reinstated (filter requires cleaning)
• Investigation continues; staff are aware of low pressure and are investigating

Whakatāne water treatment plant

• Plant currently unable to process high turbidity water
• Staff are attempting to clean filters
• Reservoir level is currently 50%
• WTP staff will advise if the level cannot be maintained

Other treatment plants

• Tāneatua wastewater treatment ponds are inundated by the high river level (as reported by a staff member).
• Edgecumbe wastewater treatment ponds are inundated by the localised flooding (as reported by a staff member).
• Murupara wastewater treatment ponds are not affected by river flow although the two rivers have joined and are flowing around the perimeter.
• Whakatane wastewater treatment ponds are functioning.
• Ohope wastewater treatment ponds are functioning.

6 April 5:15 pm

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is concerned about the integrity of the floodwall at Thornton School. It’s being reinforced with rock, but there’s a likelihood that it may fail. As a precaution, residents living in that area will be evacuated. We’ll keep the road open as long as possible, but it will be closed if the floodwall does fail.

6 April 4:25 pm

School buses will not run tomorrow due to concerns about the state of the local roading network.

6 April 3:00 pm

A previously planned water shutdown from 6 to 7 April that would have affected the Awakeri area east of the Rangitaiki River has been cancelled.

6 April 2:35 pm

Flooding impacts

Whakatane District has experienced widespread damage as a result of the extreme rainfall event generated by tropical storm Debbie.

Specific impacts are as follows:

The Whakatāne and Rangitaiki Rivers have experienced unprecedented 1 in 500 year flood events. That has seen breaches of stopbanks on both rivers. The Whakatāne River level is starting to subside, but the Rangitāiki River is likely to be at or near the present flood level for another 18 hours.

The river systems have been managed and monitored by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, with actions taken as required to address hazards to residents.

A breach of the stopbank at Edgecumbe has resulted in the declaration of a State of Emergency and an order to evacuate the town. That evacuation is ongoing but priority areas subject to the worst flooding have been evacuated, under Police supervision. Edgecumbe has some 500-600 households and a population of approximately 1600 people.

A rural area on the western side of the Whakatane River has also been evacuated.

Emergency Civil Defence Centres have been set up in Whakatāne (War Memorial Hall) and Kawerau (Firmin Centre) to accommodate displaced residents. It may be up to 72 hours before people will be able to return to their homes to assess the damage.

The communities of Tāneatua, Rūātoki and Waimana have been cut-off by flooding from the Whakatāne River. Residents in Tāneatua and Rūātoki self-evacuated to local marae or safe areas overnight. Getting assistance and support to those areas is a priority.

Tāneatua’s water supply reservoir is low and residents have been asked to conserve water wherever possible until water treatment operations resume.

Multiple water, stormwater and wastewater issues have been dealt with during the course of the storm’s impact over the past 36 hours. Whakatāne’s wastewater treatment system is now fully operational.

Roads have been extensively damaged throughout the district. The latest status report is at the bottom of this page.

Ruatāhuna remains cut off by numerous slips on Ruatahuna Road.

All available resources have been deployed to reopen roads and provide any assistance residents in affected areas may require.

6 April 2:05 pm

The Taneatua water supply has now been restored.

Ruatoki water supply has also been restored, but a boil water notice is in place for Ruatoki, and there may be some discolouration to the supplied water.

6 April 1:50 pm

The Police advise that if you are still in Edgecumbe, you should self-evacuate immediately. Many people are apparently still in the area. Find your way to friends and family if you can; otherwise, head for Firmin Lodge in Kawerau.

To emphasise: if you are still in Edgecumbe, get out now.

6 April 12:50 pm

Water conservation called for in Tāneatua

The Tāneatua reservoir is currently at 40% capacity, and the power transformer appears to be under water.  Horizon Energy has a contingency plan of delivering a diesel generator by tractor/trailer unit to the site.  We are awaiting feedback from Horizon as to when they may deliver the unit. Tāneatua residents are therefore asked to conserve water until further notice.

School closures

All schools in Whakatāne town closed at 12 pm. It will be up to each school to determine when it is sensible to re-open. Issues with wastewater systems have been overcome, so schools in town may be able to re-open.

State of Emergency

Whakatane District Emergency Management has declared a state of emergency for our district.

Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has resulted in flooding across the district, and there is the continued threat of stopbanks being breached by the Whakatāne and Rangitāiki Rivers.

While the rainfall has stopped, an evacuation of the Edgecumbe township is taking place due to high river levels on the Rangitāiki River.

People in Edgecumbe have been advised to leave their homes immediately. Welfare centres have been set up in Kawerau and Whakatāne. They are located at: Firmin Lodge, Kawerau and the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall. Anyone who requires urgent assistance is advised to ring emergency services on 111. Police and Fire Service personnel are in the area and will arrange transportation.

We are asking anyone who evacuates their home to check in with a Civil Defence Centre, either arriving in person, or by calling Whakatane District Council on 07 306 0500. People are reminded to take necessary medications with them and advise officials of any chronic or acute health needs.

Further information

• Whakatāne District Council Facebook: www.facebook.com/whakatanedistrictcouncil 
• Bay of Plenty Emergency Management Civil Defence Facebook: www.facebook.com/bopcivildefence
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council Facebook: www.facebook.com/boprc
• IXX FM: 90.5FM

Edgecumbe has some 500-600 households and a population of approximately 1600 people.

The rural area around Titoki Road to the west of Whakatāne has also been evacuated due to the overtopping of a floodbank on the Whakatāne River. Again residents are asked to stay with family or friends, or report to the welfare centre in Whakatāne.

The Whakatāne and Rangitāiki Rivers are at historically high flood levels and river flows are unlikely to subside sufficiently to allow access to cut-off areas in Tāneatua, Rūātoki and Waimana, and the evacuated areas, for some time. Evacuees may need to be out of their homes for up to 72 hours.

Key additional messages

• To report road closures, slips, stormwater and sewerage problems dial the Council on 07 306 0500
• To find the location of welfare centres, dial the Council on 07 306 0500 or go on the Council’s website at www.whakatane.govt.nz or Facebook page Facebook.com/whakatanedistrictcouncil
• A further media advisory with further information about flooding impacts will be released shortly.

6 April 11:40 am

NZTA State Highway road closures

• State Highway 2 is closed from Arawa Street in Matatā to Awakeri Road in Awakeri because of flooding. If you’re travelling from Matatā to Whakatāne, use Thornton Road.
• State Highway 34 (between State Highway 2 and State Highway 30) is closed due to flooding.
• State Highway 2 is closed between Awakeri and Wainui Road because of flooding. There are multiple road closures along this route. Wainui Road is still open.
• Please phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or check NZTA's website before leaving for your journey.

6 April 11:15 am

Reports from Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance

• Taneatua Medical Centre and the Waimana Health Clinic are closed until further notice due to flooding. Patients from the Taneatua and Waimana clinics can contact The Doctors Kopeopeo on 308 5771 to be seen for prescriptions and for non-emergency medical problems.  The Doctors Kopeopeo is currently located in the Total Health  building at 252 The Strand. 
• Riverslea Medical centre is closed until further notice due to flooding.  Patients from Riverslea Medical Centre can contact Tarawera Medical Centre on 323 8499 to be seen for prescriptions and for non-emergency medical problems.
• For all medical emergencies please call 111.
• To speak to a registered nurse for medical advice please call 306 2360

School closure

Apanui School advises town schools are closing at 12 to avoid road congestion.

6 April 10:35 am

Whakatāne / Landing Road bridge

We have been receiving multiple calls from residents concerned the bridge is or is about to be closed. This is incorrect. There are no plans to close the bridge at this time.

No Whakatāne evacuation

We have also received calls from people asking if Whakatāne is being evacuated. It is not. There are no plans to evacuate Whakatāne town.

Water conservation

Residents should conserve water and avoid flushing toilets in Tāneatua. Sewerage has been restored in Whakatāne, but residents are still asked to use toilets etc as sparingly as possible.

Rubbish collection

There will be no kerbside collections to Tāneatua, Waimana, Matahī Valley, Rūātoki and Landing Rd extension (by the Rowing Club ) today. We will attempt to service these areas on Saturday. There may be other areas where we experience access problems.

Murupara Transfer Station will be closed today.

Whakatāne Transfer station is partly flooded and has no power. Operations will be limited. We ask customers to only visit the transfer station if necessary and expect delays.

Medications

The public are being asked not to contact the Whakatane Hospital if they require prescription medications. Some evacuees have left their meds at home and are seeking prescription at the A&E, which is causing congestion; instead they should call Healthline 0800 611 116 or see a GP to have these meds issued. Local GPs are being contacted to inform them that these requests will be coming in.​

6 April 10:05 am

Evacuees headed to Kawerau are advised that Firmin Lodge is the area's welfare centre.

6 April 9:00 am

Edgecumbe Township is being evacuated. Please evacuate immediately to Kawerau. We are setting up welfare centres, and details will follow. Please contact friends and family in the area and check on your neighbours. Anyone in Edgecumbe needing help evacuating please contact 111 in the first instance; emergency services are responding.

We’re asking residents to conserve water and avoid flushing toilets, particularly in Taneatua, Edecumbe and South Whakatāne. We’re working on these systems and will be posting updates.

5 April 9:50 pm

The major weather system expected to impact on the District tonight now appears to be sliding past to the east of Whakatāne. Rainfall has been light since 6 pm, and once the area of rain showing up on the rain radar passes — probably in the next half-hour or so — there's not much on the horizon for the rest of the night.

The Whakatāne River level is continuing to rise and will do for some time. Surface flooding and slips are still a problem in many areas. Residents are advised not to use our roads, but if travel is essential, check the latest road information on the Council or NZTA websites.

All previous advisories remain in force until the morning, as a precaution.

5 April 8:50 pm

Additional road closure information:

• Galatea Road is closed between Matahina Dam and Waiohau due to slips and a large downed tree.
• Wainui Road is likely to close overnight due to high water levels at Cheddar Valley and Te Kooti Road bridge - this has been brought on by the rain and high tide.

5 April 5:50 pm

Wastewater

Infiltration of stormwater into the wastewater reticulation system is causing overflows in a number of areas. Householders are asked to reduce their water use as much as possible to take the pressure off the wastewater system – avoid showers baths, washing machine use until further notice and flush toilets as little as possible.

Roads

District road closures apply to:

• Jolly Road
• Kopuriki Road
• Minginui Road
• Ruatāhuna Road
• Te Whāiti Road (near road-end)
• Troutbeck Road
• Waitaruna Road
• Awahou Road
• Grieve Road
• Lewis Road
• Reid Road
• Omeheu Road
• Otakiri Road
• Otakiri Soldiers Road
• Taneatua Road

Other District roads affected by surface flooding/slips, which are open with caution required are:

• Ngamotu Road
• Poikaroa Road
• Te Whāiti Road
• Kotorenui Road
• Matahī Valley Road
• Ohaua Road
• Rewarau Road
• Stanley Road
• Manawahe Road
• Hereperu Road
• Gow Road
• Rewatu Road

Roads which have been reopened after slip clearance include Mill Road, Galatea Road, Mimiha Road; Ōwhakatoro Road; Stanley Road and McCoy Road.

State Highway 34 is closed at Hallett Road; SH2 is closed at Nukuhou and SH30 is closed at Rotomā.

Key advice

• Stay off the roads tonight unless absolutely necessary. Surface flooding will be a major hazard – if you must drive, do so with extreme caution and drive to the conditions.

Stormwater

Stormwater systems have generally coped well to date, but there are many areas of surface flooding, or potential surface flooding, in the Whakatāne and Edgecumbe urban areas.

Areas where residents should be alert to possible flooding include low-lying parts of the Apanui catchment in Whakatāne around Peace, Pohutu, Bracken and Beach Streets; and in Edgecumbe, the south-western area around Rimu, Totara And Matai Streets.

Key advice

• Council and contractor staff are manning the McAlister pump station to maximise drainage from the Apanui catchment. Surface flooding is likely tonight in low-lying areas.
• We are looking to have afterhours sandbag availability provided from Tracks Concrete, but this has yet to be confirmed.

River levels

River levels are continuing to rise across the District. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council advises that river levels are likely to peak around 3 pm tomorrow afternoon. 

5 April 2:50 pm

Updated information on the ongoing weather event follows.

Roads

Many people have been calling the Council over the past couple of hours saying they've heard the Whakatāne Bridge is going to close. This is incorrect. Neither we nor NZTA have any plans to close the bridge at this time.

District road closures apply to:

• Jolly Road
• Minginui Road
• Ngamotu Road
• Ruatāhuna Road
• Te Whāiti Road
• Troutbeck Road
• Waitaruna Road
• Manawahe Road
• Awahou Road
• Lewis Road
• Reid Road
• Mill Road

We’ve also been advised that Kopuriki Road may be impassable due to flood waters.

Other District roads affected by surface flooding/slips, which are open with caution required are:

• Galatea Road
• Kotorenui Road
• Matahī Valley Road
• Ohaua Road
• Rewarau Road
• Stanley Road
• Hereperu Road
• Grieve Road
• Gow Road
• Omeheu Road
• Otakiri Road
• Rewatu Road

Roads which have been reopened after slip clearance include Mimiha Road, Ōwhakatoro Road, and McCoy Road.

State Highway 34 is closed at Hallett Road, SH2 is closed at Nukuhou, and SH30 is closed at Rotomā.

Refuse transfer station

The Murupara Refuse Transfer Station will not open this afternoon due to flooding issues on the roads preventing waste management contractors from reaching Murupara safely.

Due to escalating conditions, it is expected that Murupara Transfer Station will also be closed tomorrow morning.

Stormwater

Stormwater systems have generally coped well to date, but there are many areas of surface flooding, or potential surface flooding, in the Whakatāne and Edgecumbe urban areas.

Key facts:

• Council and contractor staff are manning the McAlister pump station to maximise drainage from the Apanui catchment. Surface flooding is likely tonight in low-lying areas around Peace, Pohutu, Bracken and Beach Streets.
• In Edgecumbe, areas subject to surface flooding include: Kanuka Place, Puriri Crescent, Rata Avenue and Kowhai Crescent
• People are asked to avoid driving through flooded roads, so that water is not forced into neighbouring properties.
• Anyone whose property has been flooded in the past can obtain sandbags from the Tracks Concrete depot on Arawa Road.

River levels

River levels are continuing to rise across the District. People living in Tāneatua and Rūātoki who work in Whakatāne or are visiting for any reason are advised to head home early or they risk being cut off.

5 April 11:40 am

We’ve just been advised that:

• SH2 is being closed at Matekerepu and the SH traffic will be diverted through Wainui Road and Whakatāne
• SH34 is closed in the vicinity of Hallett Rd
• Waikaremoana Rd is also closed at multiple sites on the Wairoa side and the road closed signs have been activated on our side at London’s Garage, Murupara

All State Highway closures are posted on the following website: https://onthemove.govt.nz/

Also note that our roading resources are stretched, and we are not able to put out warning signage for every slip, fallen tree ar flooded area. The public is therefore advised to avoid all unessential travel, and if people are on the road, to drive cautiously and to the conditions — expect the unexpected around every corner.

5 April 10:40 am

District roads have been affected by numerous slips, fallen trees or surface flooding.

Roads closed or subject to restricted access as at 10 am include:

• Mimiha Road
• Jolly Road
• Omeheu Road
• Te Whāiti Road
• Fermah Road
• Manawahe Road
• Stanley Road
• McCoy Road
• Troutbeck Road
• Ruatāhuna Road (north of Te Whāiti).

Access is expected to be restored in most cases by early this afternoon, but in the meantime, the public is advised to avoid these roads and exercise extreme caution on all roads due to the likelihood of further slips.

SH30 is closed west of the intersection with SH34 (Kawerau turn-off) due to slips. Again, access is expected to be restored by this afternoon. We’ve also been advised that the Waimana Gorge section of SH2 is likely to be closed shortly due to rising river levels.

Surface flooding has affected a number of urban areas. Stormwater systems have coped reasonably well, but wastewater pumping stations in a number of areas have been overloaded due to stormwater infiltration. This has caused overflows in some areas, and residents of Whakatāne and Edgecumbe are therefore advised to treat all surface water as potentially contaminated. Council 3-Waters staff are working on the various issues affecting wastewater pumping capacity throughout the District.

Severe weather warnings remain in force through until early Thursday, with a further 80-150 mm of rain possible, on top of the accumulated rainfall thus far (up to 200 mm, depending on location). Local Civil Defence advises all residents to stay off the roads through until 6 am Thursday, unless travel is absolutely necessary.