Posted: 12 July 2007
Services resuming as storm mop-up continues
MEDIA RELEASE No.8 - 1000hrs: Improving weather and extra staff are speeding attempts to restore power to an estimated 6000 Northpower customers in the Whangarei and Kaipara Districts still without electricity today.
Northpower says 30 additional staff have been brought in from outside the region to help restore power to customers, many of whom have been without power since Tuesday.
An estimated 1000 customers had power restored overnight and a company spokesman says a combination of extra staff and a big improvement in weather means Northpower expects to make good progress today, including having most of its main feeder circuits back in service.
The Far North District is still in a declared state of local emergency and is expected to remain so today because of ongoing welfare and infrastructural issues.
An estimated 1800 homes in a number of Far North areas are still without power, although good progress is also being made by Top Energy. Kawakawa and Opua’s town water supply has now also been restored.
The Far North District Council says about seven communities are still isolated as a result of the storm. An Air Force Iroquois helicopter is being used for reconnaissance this morning to determine the extent of the isolation and the communities’ needs.
In the Whangarei District, water supplies have now been restored to Waipu and Whangarei Heads, but there are still some issues with supply to Mangapai.
In the Kaipara District, Maungaturoto is reportedly currently without water due to lack of power.
Northland Regional Council staff say it is now looking unlikely that the Northern Wairoa River will flood Dargaville township as a result of this week’s storm.
Hydrologists warned yesterday a combination of floodwaters from the Mangakahia River and high tide posed a possible risk to the town last night, but high tide passed without incident last night and again this morning. Regional Council staff will monitor the situation for the next few high tides
On the roading front, Northland’s State Highway network is now open, but numerous local roads throughout the region remain affected today with flooding, slips, debris and other storm-related damage.
Weather-related information continues to be posted as it comes to hand on the Northland Regional Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz