We are reaching out widely today just to make connection with BayBuzz friends and followers to offer our sympathy to those suffering loss – many very severe loss that will endure – from this cyclone disaster.
BayBuzz is not yet a daily news service; by now you have probably discovered RadioNZ, especially with the failure of our mobile and internet systems, to be the best source of hour-by-hour information on the state of affairs. Those lucky to have internet service can find detailed update information on roads, rescue efforts, health facilities etc on the websites of our various councils and particularly the HB Civil Defence website (with the additional links it provides). For example, I’ve pasted below the latest update from Napier City Council.
But we are definitely in the business of analysing and investigating the major issues and events of Hawke’s Bay … and this is by far the biggest regional ‘event’ in BayBuzz’s 15-year history.
In the weeks ahead BayBuzz will be reporting in-depth on the recovery effort, which will involve both immediate and long-term elements. Immediate in terms of getting ourselves back on our feet emotionally and in our ‘normal’ daily lives and businesses. And long-term, looking at the plans and actions required at a community, regional and national scale to protect ourselves from future events like this one.
Also, there will be accountability issues to raise in due course. We will not shy away from those.
Of course, regional structure, plans and measures were in place to deal with possible major disasters, with potential earthquakes probably top of mind for most. Those plans would have anticipated bridge failures, power outages, flooding, loss of transit between Hastings and Napier, Napier and Wairoa. How applicable were those plans in the face of this mega-disaster? Beyond paper plans, did preparations include adequate pre-positioning of potable water, food and medical necessities, generators, pumps etc.? Did they anticipate widespread loss of phone and internet service? Did they contemplate ‘our’ disaster might be just a piece of a bigger one?
Importantly, we must question the long-term viability of such plans and measures. How well can they be assumed to protect residents, businesses and farmers/growers in low lying areas, which constitute much of ‘metropolitan’ HB? How well will our stopbanks, being raised and upgraded even as this disaster struck, serve us in the future? Have we made some plain stupid decisions in our region in the location of housing and critical infrastructure (like power stations)? What do we do about those looking forward?
What more can be done to ensure the resilience of our communications system? The loss of contact with family, friends, rescue workers and the officialdom dealing with the crisis has been perhaps the greatest cause of duress to everyone in the community, even those watching from a safe and secure location.
These and many questions like them need to be asked and answered in the weeks ahead. There’s heaps to be learned. Of course, there will be a national inquiry into our disaster preparedness and response because the issues are obviously country-wide in scale and importance.
But that does not mean we should not comprehensively review our situation locally, so we have a clear, unified voice when it comes to advising government on our immediate recovery needs, our assessment of what worked and what didn’t in the face of the disaster, and what measures should be taken to better protect ourselves and our region in future disasters of this magnitude.
And there will be more. Climate change, with its promise of more frequent and higher intensity weather events, just like Cyclone Gabrielle, will guarantee that.
Our sincere condolences go to those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. Unfortunately, that toll will rise. And again, our deep gratitude to those on the front line literally saving lives and putting themselves at personal risk, and spending long hours and days on our behalf away from their own families facing challenges of their own home fronts.
While the disaster might bring to light inadequate planning and capacity, thankfully here in Hawke’s Bay we are seeing it also brings out the best from those able to provide aid and support.
NCC Friday am update
Places you can go to get help:
· Always call 111 if it’s an emergency and your life is in danger.
· If you can make calls and need help call 105.
· If you need a place to go rely on family and friends first or go to Centennial Centre, McLean Park, Latham St, Napier.
· Centennial Centre are no longer accepting donations.
· If you have pets, they are your responsibility. Take them with you if you need to leave. Make sure dogs have a lead or muzzle. Remember to bring pet food.
· You can make enquiries through the HB CDEM Facebook messenger and enquiries@hbemergency.govt.nz.
The facts early on Friday morning:
· No new flooding has occurred.
· There is no change in evacuation orders.
· The drinking water supply is not currently at risk and is safe to drink.
· HB CDEM and NZ Defence Force are working together to deliver supplies to isolated communities.
· There is no evacuation order in place for the Bridge Pa area. Reports of a dam breach upstream of Bridge Pa are incorrect.
· There is no evacuation order in place for the Pakipaki area. Some rising water has been observed in Pakipaki, likely due to a blockage downstream and is being assessed.
· State Highway 51 Bridge at Waitangi was closed for several hours Thursday afternoon to carry out a safety assessment. It was reopened for emergency personnel only on Thursday evening. Reports that the State Highway 51 bridge at Waitangi collapsed with people and cars trapped are incorrect.
The situation with our water:
· The water in our taps is safe to drink and it is important to stay hydrated.
· For other water needs, restrict your use – don’t rush to flush, limit showering, do the dishes by hand, and wash clothes by hand. Do not wash paving or driveways.
· Do not hose silt into driveways. This will clog the stormwater and cause flooding even in minor rain.
Getting in and out of Napier:
· Do not attempt to drive in flood-affected areas as it is unsafe to do so and bow waves can cause more damage.
· SH2 Expressway has reopened for emergency personnel and those with an essential need to travel. An essential need includes those who need to travel for essential work or to access vulnerable family members. Delay travel unless essential. We need to leave the roads clear for those who need them.
· SH51 is open between Napier and Clive for emergency services and critical workers ONLY. Do not attempt to access this road, checkpoints are in place.
· Napier Port has reported minimal damage to its infrastructure. Shipping will resume on Friday following a shipping channel and navigational aids safety assessments.
Keeping clean and healthy:
· Do your best to avoid contact with floodwaters. Floodwaters can contain sewage, toxic chemicals, and hidden debris. If you do come into contact with floodwaters clean yourself and any clothing/shoes thoroughly.
· Remember to wash and dry your hands every time you use the toilet or handle human waste.
· Use hand sanitiser whenever possible.
What to do with your waste:
· All rubbish collections are cancelled this week.
· Store all rubbish and recycling at your home. Do not leave it out on the street.
· Limit the number of people handling waste – nominate one family member to manage the collection and disposal of waste.
· Store spoiled food in a way that stops animals from accessing it. Cover all containers and holes to reduce smells and flies.
What is happening with access to power and gas:
· Please treat all damaged and downed lines as live, and report faults and outages at www.unison.co.nz/outages or by phoning 0800 2 UNISON (0800 2 86476).
· Power is still out across Napier and some other parts of Hawke’s Bay due to the flooding of the Redclyffe substation.
· Transpower and Unison are attempting to bypass Redclyffe substation to allow power to be restored.
· In Napier we need to be prepared to be without power for an extended period of time. Please be patient as crews work hard to restore power.
· When you are reconnected to the network, conserve power to ensure there is enough for everyone. Look for every opportunity to save power: turn off air-conditioning, turn devices off at the wall rather than leaving on standby, reduce use of lights and high consumption devices.
· LPG gas is in good supply and home deliveries will recommence once the roads are clear.
Finding friends and family:
· If you are looking for loved ones, you can log a request via this form: https://forms.police.govt.nz/person-inquired-for or contact police on 105.
· If you are communicating with people who cannot call 111 themselves, please forward information about their circumstances and location to intelligence@hbemergency.govt.nz. Place the most critical information in the subject line to assist emergency services with triaging.
· If you are willing and able to volunteer to help with the recovery, please register your details with manager@volunteeringhb.org.nz
Getting access to food:
· Supermarkets are up and running with generators.
· More supplies will be arriving over the next few days to restock the shelves.
· Only buy enough food for a few days to ensure there is enough to go around.
· Buy long-life food that doesn’t need to go in the fridge or freezer.
Getting financial support:
· Work and Income can provide financial support in the form of a civil defence payment.
· You may qualify if you are in one of these situations because of the emergency:
o You had to leave your home (e.g. you’ve been evacuated or you’re on stand-by)
o You were away from your home at the time of the emergency and can’t return
o You need help with food, bedding or clothing
o You can’t go to work
· You do not need to be receiving a benefit or income support from WINZ to be eligible for these payments.
· Please go to the Work and Income website for more information or call on 0800 400 100 (call centre open 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday, and 8am-1pm Sunday).
Council facilities:
· All Council facilities will remain closed until further notice.
· This includes:
o Napier Libraries
o Napier Aquatic Centre
o National Aquarium of New Zealand
o MTG
o Faraday Centre
o Municipal Theatre
o Napier Conference and Events Centre
o ISITE
· Kennedy Rd Holiday Park is not taking bookings.