\u201cA lot of the slash, not forestry slash, just up [and] down the river, has come down and blocked the bridge and then put pressure on it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Warren said years of underinvestment in flood protection had left the region vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s got us to a point where it doesn\u2019t take a major flood to be a major problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t continue like this,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re not fixing things properly. It\u2019s putting a patch on that\u2019s not good enough, and we\u2019re getting found out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wairarapa farmer Mike Warren. Photo \/ RNZ \/ Penny Smith<\/p>\n
Warren said his sheep and beef farm had crops underwater, and he had 150 cattle to feed.<\/p>\n
He said he had ongoing concerns about the safety of his family and stock if the river stopbanks continued to fail.<\/p>\n
The Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said on Saturday that the T\u016branganui River bridge was expected to be reinstated halfway through next week.<\/p>\n
It said while weather conditions were easing across the region, river levels were still elevated on Saturday evening, and widespread surface flooding was ongoing.<\/p>\n
It added there was still a concern around further slips and erosion, and essential services might be disrupted particularly in areas where access was still limited.<\/p>\n
\u201cRock and other materials are being sourced to be able to get going on repairs as soon as the river levels subside. It is still expected that the bridge will be reinstated midweek.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power outages were still affecting many in coastal areas and the lack of access through the T\u016branganui River bridge was hindering the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cPowerCo can\u2019t get across the Turanganui bridge so we are liaising with them about what other options are available to restore power,\u201d Wairarapa EOC said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wastewater system at Lake Ferry relies on power to operate, so contingency planning is underway incase power cannot be restored in the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
It noted that the system was still able to operate on its own for a short amount of time.<\/p>\n
Planning was also underway to deliver supplies and other support where it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n
– RNZ<\/p>\n