Far North Flooding- update 11a.m

Water supplies in the Paihia-Waitangi area remain a major concern in the Far North after the treatment plant at Haruru Falls was flooded earlier today.

Residents in the area are being asked to conserve water while the treatment plant remains inoperative. Access to the treatment plant to assess the damage and make repairs remains blocked by floodwaters.

The storage reservoirs have only sufficient water to satisfy demand for a further 30 hours. If people conserve water now, the available reserves will last longer.

A public warning against the taking of shellfish or swimming has also been issued for the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa harbour areas where there have been raw sewerage discharges as a result of flooding at sewage pumping stations. The warning will remain in place until further notice.

Replacement pumps for sewer stations have been located but there is a delay in getting the new equipment from Auckland while State Highway 1 remains blocked at various locations.

Across the district, a number of incidents of people being assisted from vehicles caught in floodwaters have been reported.

However there have been no reports of any injuries as a result of the flooding. and there are currently no concerns for the safety of residents in homes inundated or isolated by flooding. About 70 people are still being looked after at temporary welfare centres at Kaeo, Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Haruru Falls.

Power supplies have been cut in the Mangakahia, Matawaia, Tautoro, and Kaeo areas and Top Energy Ltd is working to restore these supplies.

A number of local roads remain closed through slips, fallen trees and flooding.