Five dead, region still cut off

Efforts to restore essential services after cyclone

Efforts continue to restore essentials such as water, power, and communications across Hawke’s Bay, where there are ‘‘grave concerns’’ about several people still missing and more rain on the way.

Five deaths have been confirmed in the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, three of them in Hawke’s Bay. A Putorino woman died after a bank collapsed onto her home, while the body of another woman was found in the slash along the shore at Bay View Beach and the body of a young child was found in Eskdale.

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the ranges of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, with localised downpours of 25 to 40mm and hour and hail expected. This level of rainfall can cause flash flooding.

Much of the region remains cut off, with State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō and SH2 between Napier and Wairoa still closed. However, access between Napier and Hastings has been restored with SH51 now open.

With main routes reopening and the port expected to open today, supplies such as petrol, gas and food are being replenished but residents are still asked to urgently conserve water. HMNZS Canterbury, a supply ship, is expected to reach Napier by the end of this week.

The power outage in Napier is expected to last at least two weeks, with emergency power provided for Wellesley Road Medical Centre, Countdown and Caltex Napier.

Hundreds of rooftop rescues have been conducted in recent days. An entire group of seasonal workers – traditionally people brought from overseas to fill skills shortages in orchards – was among them.

Kelvin Taylor and his son Cam spent hours rescuing people via chopper in some of the hardest-hit areas, including Esk Valley, where Cam reported seeing at least one body in floodwaters. They feared the death toll would rise.

‘‘One body was seen floating unable to be rescued, and others winched out by chopper have spoken of seeing family members washed away,’’ Kelvin said.

Most of Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa, and Gisborne lost all power and

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF & CIVIL DEFENCE A road destroyed near Napier destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle. Left: The northern Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa has been severely flooded, with communications extremely limited.