The centre said the focus of the emergency response in southwest Waikato was reaching isolated communities and properties, assessing and addressing damage, and maintaining safe drinking water supply to Pirongia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Across Waip\u0101 and \u014ctorohanga, 120 people have been evacuated, Civil Defence controller Wayne Allan said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe focus for the response teams is on Wharepapa South, K\u0101whia, Aotea and Corcoran Rd, as well as assisting with clean-up efforts underway in the \u014ctorohanga township,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are contacting and visiting properties individually and have support from multiple agencies. Some 120 people have been evacuated and are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Across both districts, two properties have been red-stickered.<\/p>\n Allan said some parts of the districts had gone back to business as usual.<\/p>\n \u201cThis weather event was short, sharp and with intensity<\/a> which varied significantly across the region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re already seeing some areas returning to business as usual, while just a few kilometres away we have communities isolated, roads severed and bridges, pipes and culverts still at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n A helicopter looked at infrastructure, carried out property checks and provided welfare support in Wharepapa South today.<\/p>\n The water supply to Pirongia remained a significant concern and the teams\u2019 primary focus, Allan said.<\/p>\n Flooding demolished the water treatment station on Te Tahi Rd, which usually supplies the area.<\/p>\n While alternative emergency supply is being piped from Te Awamutu, tankered water remains a contingency, Allan said.<\/p>\n Wastewater networks are not affected.<\/p>\n \u201cThe [water] supply is fragile and relies on a single pipe to support an entire community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen an increase in water use in the last 24 hours and we\u2019re monitoring it \u2013 we urge the community to keep the savings going.<\/p>\n \u201cShort showers, reduced flushing of toilets, no outside watering \u2013 every drop saved buys us time to build some resilience into our network.<\/p>\n \u201cWe drained the reservoir to inspect it this morning, and experts are building a picture of what future works may be required… [There\u2019s] no quick fix.\u201d<\/p>\n Allan also urged people to respect safety signs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have received reports of people driving through roadblocks, which is not only dangerous for the individuals, it can impact and slow response teams.\u201d<\/p>\n Allan thanked the community for standing together.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is also locals helping locals. It\u2019s a joint effort from not just Waip\u0101 and \u014ctorohanga councils but also neighbouring councils and Civil Defence teams to support our people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thank the mayors and councillors, our mana whenua partners and our community.<\/p>\n \u201cMany of the people working on this response are doing so while their own homes, friends and family have been impacted.\u201d<\/p>\n While State Highway 31 to K\u0101whia from SH39 is set to open from 8pm today, several roads remain closed because of flooding, slips and damage.<\/p>\n New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said a full replacement of the Mangati Bridge was necessary.<\/p>\n Installing a single-lane temporary bridge is being considered to span the stream and reconnect locals while a permanent solution is built, NZTA said.<\/p>\n Corcoran Rd at Te Pahu is closed beyond house No 238 because of a serious risk of road collapse. Access to the end of the road is likely to be several days away.<\/p>\n Whatauri Rd at Wharepapa South is closed beyond the 1.8km mark after a culvert failure.<\/p>\n Wharepapa South Rd and Waikoha Rd are both closed.<\/p>\n A Civil Defence Centre has been made available at Pirongia Rugby Sports Club, 2 Kane St, for those who need to evacuate.<\/p>\n Waipa District Council have set up a mayoral disaster relief fund.<\/p>\n Civil Defence welfare requests are co-ordinated through Here to Help U.<\/p>\n People can contact 0800 568 273 and leave a callback request.<\/p>\n States of emergency for Waip\u0101 and \u014ctorohanga districts remain in place but MetService said heavy rain and strong winds were expected to ease in the central North Island<\/a> this afternoon. <\/p>\n The storm\u2019s death toll stands at one after \u201cloving father\u201d Brent Knowles<\/a>‘ vehicle became submerged in floodwaters<\/a> while travelling on SH39 on Friday.<\/p>\nAerial shots of Kio Kio Station Rd, near \u014ctorohanga, on Saturday show the extent of the flooding. Photo \/ Mike Scott <\/p>\n
Mangati Bridge has been severely damaged by the flooded Ngakoaohia Stream and a full replacement is needed, NZTA says. Photo \/ New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi<\/p>\n