Napier incident media update

At a Napier Civil Defence briefing this morning it was confirmed that 160 evacuees have registered so far at the Welfare Centre which has been set up at Napier Intermediate School, in Jull Street. 93 people were accommodated over night, while others stayed with friends and family.

Napier Civil Defence Incident Controller Dennis Morgan and his emergency team are now organising future accommodation for evacuees if required and says it is their main priority.

“We will be informing evacuees of the progress as soon as it comes in,” Dennis says. “Clothing and toiletries for people who cannot access their homes is also being organised. The first point of contact for these people should be the Welfare Centre.”

Evacuees will be fed at the Napier Civil Defence Welfare Centre, which will be open for as long as the siege takes place.

“The Salvation Army is providing the food and they’re doing an excellent job,” Dennis says.