A massive repair and cleanup job awaits those living in the Tairāwhiti region. Photo: Tairāwhiti Contractors
The Tairāwhiti region appears to have escaped another expected storm just days after the last major rainfall.
The region suffered significant damage from Cyclone Hale last week with homes flooded and residents cut off for days.
A state of emergency remains for the region and MetService had forecast heavy rain and strong winds north of Tolaga Bay yesterday and today.
Civil Defence was warning the biggest risks for the region were saturated ground, roading network failures and further landslides.
Tolaga Bay Civil Defence manager Greg Shelton was watching the weather overnight.
He said officials had been hoping they would be on the fringes of the subtropical low heading towards the East Cape and their hopes were realised.
The rainfall was not nearly as heavy as last week's. There was an average of just 5mm-6mm of rain per hour but that would be enough to compound all the issues the region was facing.
He was unaware of any extra damage but it was a case of monitoring the rain's impact on the saturated land and rivers.
Shelton said some people were still trying to gain access to their properties. It was important to also acknowledge road workers and power company staff who had been working in "pretty uncomfortable conditions" during the poor weather.
"There are a lot of people hurting out there and bridges and roads and infrastructure that doesn't get repaired overnight."
Shelton said more gloomy days were ahead for the region, but no cyclones appeared to be on the horizon.
East Coast residents had a lot of resilience and would "dig deep and keep going".
Move for clubhouse almost complete
A Whitianga boating club is part-way through shifting its building following coastal erosion during last week's storm.
The Mercury Bay Boating Club was close to falling into the sea after losing three metres of bank during Cyclone Hale.
The clubhouse before it was moved to a temporary site. Photo: Thames Coromandel District Council
But while the building has been moved to safety for now, it will have to be moved again to a permanent location, which will not be cheap.
Club commodore Jonathan Kline said the move to a temporary site would be completed today.
"I'm happy to say that for now anyway the building is out of harm's way."
The club needs at least another $100,000 to pay for the move to its long-term site and was approaching several organisations to try and get some assistance, Kline said. A Give-a-little fundraiser has also been started.
Once it has been moved to its permanent site on the same reserve it will be 60 metres from the ocean.
It would be an opportunity to reinstate a grassed area in front of the clubhouse which would be perfect for hosting regattas and other sailing activities, Kline said. The club would also consider hosting weddings and other social activities as a way to raise money.
