Media advisory: Napier flood update Date 10/11/20, 7.30pm

STATE OF EMERGENCY
 
The state of emergency is still in place. We’ll reassess this as we need to.
 
WHAT WE’RE EXPECTING OVERNIGHT
 
We're not expecting the volumes of rain we had yesterday but we know many people will be concerned about the possible impact on Napier.
 
At this stage the forecast rain is not expected to cause serious issues. We will be monitoring the situation. Visit www.metservice.com for the latest information.
 
INSURANCE
 
The Insurance Council of New Zealand and The Earthquake Commission (EQC) encourage anyone affected to contact their insurer or broker. Contact them as soon as you can so arrangements can be made to assess the damage or losses and progress any claims.
Read more here: https://www.icnz.org.nz/media-resources/media-releases/single/item/insurers-support-customers-affected-by-severe-weather/
 
BUILDING ASSESSMENTS
 
Multi-agency teams have this afternoon been visiting Napier suburbs impacted by the flooding in the city last night, checking on people’s welfare and assessing property damage.
 
The teams are made up of personnel from Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency’s Urban Search and Rescue, Red Cross and Napier City Council.
 
Kennedy Park Resort in Napier remains open tonight to people evacuated from their homes.
 
IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO EVACUATE 

• Stay with family or friends if you can.
• Take your medication and essential items such as hearing aids.
• Take your pets with you and take pet food and leashes.
• If you have no-one to stay with, phone 0800 422 923 to get help.

 Emotional support: 

• If you are feeling anxious or frustrated, talk with friends, family and whānau.
• If you need a counsellor, call or text 1737.

ROAD CONDITIONS
 
Avoid non-essential travel. Don’t drive through floodwaters as this creates bow waves that can flood buildings.
 
For the latest road closures, visit https://hdcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=397d79342f864139a79520bcac02e497
 
DRINKING WATER
 
Napier City Council’s Chief Executive Keith Marshall said there was no evidence of water contamination in Napier and at this stage no need to issue a boil water notice.
 
Mr Marshall said testing of the water would be on-going today and as a purely precautionary measure Napier City Council had added more chlorine to the drinking water supply.
 
Hawke’s Bay DHB’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones agreed that Napier City Council’s water staff were taking all the appropriate steps to investigate any issues with the water supply.
 
Dr Jones said he supported the council increasing the chlorine dosage to the water supply as a precautionary measure.
 
“We are working closely with Napier City Council and Civil Defence and we will update with more information if the situation changes,” he said.
 
POWER OUTAGES
 
Unison crews have worked hard throughout the day to reconnect customers following the flooding in Napier yesterday, however some areas need to be prepared to face a further night without power. While flood waters are slowly subsiding allowing crews access to Unison assets, flood damage is proving more challenging than expected. Visit https://www.unison.co.nz/outages for the latest.
 
WASTEWATER
 
Napier’s wastewater system is still overloaded. Napier City Council is asking Napier to keep their household wastewater to a minimum. DO NOT take baths or flush toilets unless absolutely necessary, keep showers short and leave running the dishwasher until tomorrow. 
 
HEALTH AND SAFETY
 
Floodwaters can carry bugs that cause disease from the ground surface and sewerage systems. Do not eat any food that had been in contact with flood waters, including fruit and vegetables from your garden. Keep children and pets away from floodwaters and puddles.
 
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM WORK AND INCOME
 
Support and assistance is available if you've been affected by the November 2020 floods in Napier.
 
There are lots of ways Work and Income can help, and they can point you in the right direction based on your situation. You don't have to be on a benefit.
 
In emergencies, Work and Income can help with costs if you don't have any other way of paying.
Call on 0800 779 997 for help with emergency costs.
 
They can help with:

• medical costs
• bedding
• food
• power bills
• repairs or replacing appliances
• emergency accommodation costs
• loss of income because you can't work.

Work and Income also provides other help such as benefits and housing assistance. Everyone’s situation is different, so what you qualify for will depend on your situation.
 
You may have to pay the money back depending on your situation.
 
Contact Work and Income
 
Contact Work and Income if you:

• would like assistance
• aren’t sure if you can get assistance
• are struggling to support yourself, or your family
• would like more information.

Phone: 0800 779 997 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm Website: www.workandincome.govt.nz

10 November 2020

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