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There are potentially thousands of Hawke’s Bay residents who are yet to be contacted by emergency services, but Prime Minister Chris Hipkins promises as many resources as possible are being provided to assist in the cyclone response.
Hipkins has been in Hawke’s Bay today surveying the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Speaking with media from Bay View just north of Napier, Hipkins did not provide specific details on when power might be returned to Napier and surrounding areas, saying a more fulsome update would be given later this evening.
Hipkins arrived in Napier this morning along with Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty, Forestry Minister and Napier MP Stuart Nash and Minister Meka Whaitiri who is MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.
The team has been briefed on the local response and toured some of the region’s hardest-hit areas, including Esk Valley, where one child was killed and many homes destroyed as floodwaters and silt tore through the small community.
There, Hipkins has been meeting with those affected along with first responders.
The number of fatalities from the disaster stands at eight, however, Gabrielle has reportedly claimed another victim.
The Taranaki rugby league community is mourning the death of local club stalwart George Luke, the father of former Kiwi star Issac Luke, after he died following a slip on the Taihape-Napier road.
Earlier, a 59-year-old woman was found dead in the roof cavity of her cottage in Puketapu, west of Napier.
Marie Greene was found by her landlord’s son, her Wellington-based daughter Rachel told Stuff.
Police have grave concerns for some of the 3500 who are still uncontactable.
‘Stop using water now’
Gisborne residents have been told to “stop using water now” as the region faces more setbacks due to the failure of a water treatment plant at Waipaoa.
Emergency supplies have made it into Gisborne today but fresh water access continues to pose major problems.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said: ”This is a major crisis our city has no water. Don’t turn your taps on.”
In Auckland, a fresh evacuation order has been issued for residents in Muriwai today.
Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade issued an urgent notice asking Domain Cres residents to evacuate immediately: ”We have been advised by Auckland Council Emergency Management that all residents still occupying houses on Domain Cres are to evacuate immediately,” the fire brigade said.
”If you know of people still there please contact them to pass on this message.”
Meanwhile a temporary morgue has been set up at Napier Port amid fears more people will be found dead in the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The number of fatalities from the disaster stands at seven, however police have grave concerns for some of the 3500 who are still uncontactable.
The Herald understands a temporary morgue has been set up at Napier Port by police and the Defence Force.
Gabrielle has reportedly claimed an eighth victim after a 59-year-old woman has been found dead in the roof cavity of her cottage on Dartmoor Rd in Puketapu, west of Napier, Stuff reports.
Marie Greene was found by her landlord’s son, her Wellington-based daughter Rachel told Stuff.
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