A key Lower North Island bridge has washed out, isolating hundreds along the South Wairarapa coast.
By Sue Teodoro of Local Democracy Reporting
Coastal communities have been cut off as the Tūranganui River bridge on Lake Ferry Rd is completely impassable due to flood damage.
The bridge, just before Lake Ferry, is a key link with the township itself, along with Cape Palliser, Ngawi, Whāngaimoana and many farming communities.
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A local resident said the one-way bridge was badly damaged.
"The bridge is gone. There is no way through. There’s a large chunk out of the middle gone," they said.
"I’ve never seen it like this in my life. It’s a bit scary.
"[Vehicles] will have to find another way."
The resdient said the entire coastal population would be affected, with no way in or out south of the bridge.
The bridge was between Warrens Rd and the turnoff to Cape Palliser Rd.
A second river, the Tauanui, had breached its banks and inundated farmland, the resident said.
"It went through at least three houses. It came up so quickly."
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Those residents had successfully evacuated.
The resident also said the area from Pirinoa southwards to the coast had been badly damaged.
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Te Rata Rd near Pirinoa was also damaged. That road had at least six families living on it.
One local farmer had reportedly recorded rainfall of 330mm in the nearby Aorangi Ranges.
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Wellington Water had issued a boil water notice for the Pirinoa community.
"Wellington Water advises that all drinking water in Pirinoa must be boiled before use, including for drinking, preparing food, making baby formula, or brushing teeth," it said.
"The Pirinoa water treatment plant has been inundated by flooding following adverse weather in the South Wairarapa region. Because flood water can carry harmful contaminants, the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be guaranteed at this time."
A South Wairarapa District Council spokesperson said on Tuesday morning the road was expected to be passable later in the day.
"The bridge is only one lane and is the main access route to Lake Ferry and Cape Palliser. This means those communities cannot currently be reached by road.
"Road crews and contractors are on site working urgently to repair the damage and reopen the road. The road is expected to reopen later this afternoon."
The council reported White Rock Rd (closest intersection Harris Rd North), Cape Palliser Rd from Te Kopi, and Lake Ferry Rd at the Kahutara intersection were all closed on Tuesday morning.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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