Cleanup likely to take months

Waipā District Council is warning the cleanup after Cyclone Gabrielle may take months.

While impacts were felt throughout the district, chief executive Garry Dyet said Leamington in Cambridge was hardest hit. Trees in Lamb and Carlyle streets took the full force of huge winds, leaving “carnage”.

“We’ve got more than 100 trees across the district either destroyed or seriously compromised. It’s heartbreaking but I’m just grateful no one was seriously hurt,” Dyet said.

Since last Tuesday, when the full scope of the destruction was revealed, the council has had five contracted crews and specialist arborists working “full noise” across Waipā. After resting on Sunday, the crews were back in the district this week.

The priority continues to be public safety including dealing with uprooted and compromised trees, clearing roads and accessways, and releasing powerlines, buildings and fences. While most of the critical work will be completed during the next couple of weeks, less-urgent work may stretch into April and beyond.

“That means if you have logged a job with us, unless the tree deteriorates further, please be patient and know we have it in hand. Our council team and our team of contractors have done a phenomenal job under incredibly trying circumstances and I couldn’t be prouder.”

He also issued another plea to residents to stay away from unsafe and fallen trees and not take it upon themselves to cut firewood.

“The last thing we need is people wandering around with chainsaws — that’s a nightmare scenario.”