Tairawhiti

WELLINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Tairawhiti region remains in a state of local emergency due to flooding and landslips with further rain ...

Rivers are still high and the wastewater network is at capacity, the Tairawhiti Civil Defence said in a statement on Facebook. Much of New Zealand's North Island, including Tairawhiti, also known as East Cape, has experienced heavy rain, big seas and high winds as ex-tropical cyclone Hale has passed over the country. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Cyclone Hale wallops the Gisborne district, with video capturing forestry logs cast aside and muddy rivers that remain severely swollen.

* Paddocks were flooded, roads damaged, and a bridge threatened by the volume of debris in the swollen waterway.

More severe weather warnings are in place today, from Coromandel to Wairarapa down the North Island's east coast.

The North Island's east coast was battered with rain and wind on Wednesday as Cyclone Hale moved down the country. "For today, the places that we're expecting the rain to start being concentrated is the lower part of that eastern North Island." "So that's quite a lot of rain to fall, especially considering the amount of rain that has already in those regions," Makgabutlane said. "We acknowledge this is a valuable community asset and support the efforts of the local volunteers who are currently removing the deck in pieces," he said. - In Tairāwhiti, SH35 is closed between Okitu and Ruatoria due to the severe weather until further notice. - In Hawke's Bay, SH2 is closed between Tangoio and Tutira due to a slip until further notice. - In Coromandel, SH25 is closed between between Te Puru and Tapu until further notice due to a slip. "We acknowledge this is a valuable community asset and support the efforts of the local volunteers who are currently removing the deck in pieces," Mayor Len Salt said of the building this morning. 10.15am: There has been a bit of fun and games in Tolaga Bay amid the wind and rain of Cyclone Hale. 2.10pm: The top of the South Island is the latest region in the cyclone's firing line. - A number of roads are closed around the North Island. - MetService says the lower half of the island is next in the firing line.

The wind and rain from ex-tropical Cyclone Hale may be abating but TairÄ whiti Civil Defence controller Nedine Thatcher Swann is urging caution.

For the full and latest lists, head to local road closures on Council’s website. The Gladstone Road Bridge will be closed from 7pm tomorrow (Thursday) evening through to 6am on Friday to allow the woody debris to be cleared. "Right from preparedness to iwi and our community response groups, to contractors and stakeholders. There are 51 local roads closed (as of noon Wednesday) and still more are being discovered as the crews get out and about. Contractors are working hard across the region to ensure access for whÄnau caught by flooding and slips. The Hikuwai River, which peaked at 13.51m, is almost down to the first alert level of 6.5m.

The region has been battered by heavy rain as Cyclone Hale passed down the country, and was put in a state of emergency on Tuesday evening. Linda Gough, who ...

Especially because it's not the first time this has happened. Gough said the company took off costs for things like already clearing the logs and the damaged fences and they ended up with "basically nothing" in hand. From the damage in 2018, Gough said they were approached by a lawyer from one of the forestry companies to cover costs of the damage. "Within that hour, our whole property was underwater. There are forestry works up the valley from Gough's home, and she was furious the debris had blocked the river and risked their safety. Come Wednesday there was a sea of logs and debris where the river used to be and destruction to her entire property.