More than 40 people stranded between multiple slips along State Highway 2 have been evacuated by helicopter, after heavy rain cut off the Waioweka Gorge route yesterday.
Police were first alerted to a slip around 9am on Friday following heavy rain in the area. As conditions worsened, several more slips came down, trapping motorists between blocked sections of the Waioweka Gorge.
By midnight, everyone caught between the slips had been evacuated by helicopter, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said. A further eight people at two private properties were expected to be flown out this morning.
"It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff," Cooney said.
"It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for."
Evacuated motorists were initially flown to a local campsite before being transferred by an NZDF NH90 helicopter to evacuation centres in Matawai and Ōpōtiki.
Cooney said recovering the stranded vehicles would take time due to the number of slips and the extent of the damage in the gorge.
“The main thing is nobody was hurt."
Do you have photos or video from the SH2 slips? Send them to news@tvnz.co.nz
SH2 to remain closed through weekend
NZTA said State Highway 2 would remain closed through the Waioweka Gorge over the weekend due to multiple slips and surface flooding along the route.
A helicopter assessment of the road on Friday afternoon showed "significant" over and underslips along the road, a spokesperson said.
"With movement still occurring and rivers and streams flowing high, it is not safe for our teams to be on the ground. People are urged to delay travel where possible or allow plenty of extra time for a detour via State Highway 35."
An update on the condition of the road would be provided on Monday morning, they added.
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