BayBuzz asked some residents and businesses out on the Cape Coast for their appraisals of HB CDEM and Council officials handled the Vaianu event.
Here’s the assessment of Ann Redstone, commenting as Chair of the Cape Coast Community group.
One of my observations over the weekend was the lack of comms between the TLAs and the community out here. This has historically been a weak point and I think it needs addressing as the learnings are identified.
A concern widely shared across the community was that the mandatory evacuation maps of the at risk homes were widely shared and could easily be spread further and it was felt there was a serious security issue. People were very reluctant to leave their homes because of that.
I also believe historical intellectual property collated from the community members who have lived through many of these events would be an added asset. Councils have to use models, we have lived experience to share and a very good understanding of coastal processes, tides, swells, weather etc. That is both an advantage and disadvantage of living on the beach.
All in all I am relieved the response was pretty proactive with initiatives such as the Haumoana beach crest being widened and heightened to mitigate overtopping and inundation and extra pumps being placed at our pump station.
I definitely would rather councils over predict rather than under as in the case of Cyclone Gabrielle. My mantra to those who think councils over reacted is ‘better safe than sorry’. In this case due to the cyclone changing course the whole exercise became a very good practise. Things could have been far worse. We were lucky!
From other Haumoana/Te Awanga residents:
“We were well handled out our way, the officials kept us informed and moved everyone that needed to be moved. We got to stay as we were out of the Flood Zone. The officials acted accordingly and respectfully and were really helpful.”
“From my perspective council and emergency services did a great job. The only small let down was initial communications once we were told to evacuate. It was good to be over prepared at the pump station and with the beach crest height. All in all a smooth operation.”
“All good out our way, nothing too drastic happened. General feeling is that the evacuation order was probably an over-reaction, but maybe understandable given the lack of preparedness last time.
“No damage here. Seen much worse.”
From BayBuzz Nerve Centre, safely on a hilltop overlooking the Tukituki River:
As BayBuzz Editor maybe I’m on more contact lists than the average punter, but I was impressed by the steady stream of updates from CDEM, Hastings District Council, Fire & Emergency NZ and NZ Transport Agency – all of these with links for more information.
Although I was receiving these by email (no Internet loss), I noticed that most of these messages were also delivered on Facebook, so readily available. Plus a few very loud text alerts that must have shocked to attention everyone with a mobile phone!
Unison seemed to have its bases covered. We lost power for maybe 90 minutes.
And closing off with this media release from HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group:
“The localised state of emergency for Hawke’s Bay has been lifted as of midday today, now that Cyclone Vaianu has moved southeast away from New Zealand and conditions have eased.
“The state of emergency covered coastal areas of Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, and Napier, and did not include any part of the Wairoa District.
“Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (HBCDEM) Group Controller Shane Briggs says weather conditions have improved, the region has not felt any significant impacts, and emergency response powers are no longer required.
“Overall, Hawke’s Bay appears to have come through the cyclone well, and at midday today, the local state of emergency was lifted,” Shane Briggs said.
“Although the cyclone has now moved well offshore, we’re asking people to continue to take care, particularly when driving, as there may still be debris or fallen branches on roads.
“Council teams have been out from first light this morning carrying out assessments and clearing hazards where required,” Shane Briggs said.
“The state of emergency had been declared as a precautionary measure to enable timely evacuations and provide Civil Defence with additional powers to respond to the forecast impacts of the cyclone.
“Hawke’s Bay Regional Chair Sophie Siers thanked communities for their cooperation and preparedness throughout the event.
“The region worked closely together through Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence, our councils, mayors, emergency services, Treaty partners and partner agencies. Taking a precautionary approach helped ensure our communities were prepared for the worst, even though the impacts were less severe than initially forecast,” Sophie Siers said.
“For further updates, follow the Hawkе’s Bay Emergency Management website and official social media channels, and your local council’s official channels.”
