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Friday 11 February 2022
Bay battles floods and slips
A slip blocks the road between Tata beach and Wainui last week following torrential rainfall Photo: Jilly Burrell. JO RICHARDS
The belt of heavy rain, which swept across Golden Bay last week, caused significant damage to roads and walking tracks. Intense downpours during Thursday and Friday resulted in some localised flooding, several slips, and washed out a number of the Bay’s gravel roads. However, the clean-up began soon after and it wasn’t long before all roads were at least partially reinstated. The deluge did not come as a surprise; it was well signalled with early weather warnings issued by MetService, Tasman District Council (TDC) and Emergency Management Golden Bay (EMGB). What wasn’t predicted was how the rainfall would be distributed. “The early focus was on the Aorere and Anatoki catchments and four-metre high tides,” explains local controller for EMGB Sara Chapman. “On Friday evening, the sustained rainfall along the coastal ranges shifted local attention to the Eastern Bays, from Pōhara to Wainui.”
GOLDEN BAY RAINFALL TOTALS Wednesday 2 February to Sunday 6 February
Puponga Kaihoka Te Hapu Mangarakau Ligar/Tata Paines Ford Onekaka Glenview Rd Bainham Hamama Rototai Pohara (Tues-Fri) Puramahoi
104mm 145mm 205mm 350mm 363mm 369mm 383mm 386mm 405mm 409mm 410mm 422mm 542mm
The flow rate of the Bay’s main rivers reflected the rainfall intensity in their respective catchments. From graphs displayed on TDC’s website, the flow rates of the Aorere, Anatoki and Tākaka rivers all showed a double peak – one around midday Thursday and a
much greater one on Friday night. In all cases, Friday’s maximum flows were well below the all-time highs recorded over a decade ago (see table on page 3). On Friday night, the Tākaka Volunteer Fire Brigade was called out to two Pōhara properties to assist residents threatened with inundation from the wetland area behind their homes. Out on the highways, overnight surface flooding occurred at numerous locations, including McShane Road, Tōtaranui Road, Wainui Hill, Birds Road, SH60 at Ōnekakā, and on the Collingwood-Puponga Main Road at Ferntown. Of these, the metalled roads incurred the most damage. “The gravel roads at Big Hill, Cook Road, Wainui and Tōtaranui were all scoured and compromised by the flow from the hills,” said Sara, who reported that the affected sections were quickly reopened to traffic. “Fulton Hogan and Sollys worked all weekend to... Continued on page 3
JO RICHARDS
Golden Bay has registered its first Omicron infections. Although not officially confirmed by the health authorities, it is believed that there are currently at least three positive cases of Covid-19 in the Bay, all members of the same family. Tāk ak a’s Wholemeal Café, which appeared on the Ministry of Health’s register of locations of interest last Thursday, was at the time of going to press, the only Golden Bay venue listed on the Ministry’s website. Anyone who was present at the café on Saturday 29 January between 7.30- 8.30am, is asked to follow Ministry of Health advice: “Self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.” The lack of further locations in the Bay may seem surprising but the MoH provides the following explanation: “Not all exposure events will become locations of interest if health officials can identify everyone who may have been exposed. These are considered private exposure events and those potentially exposed will be contacted by the health authorities.” Regular updates on locations of Interest are posted by MoH at: www.health.govt.nz Protection against Covid-19 Along with advice for anyone aged five and above to get vaccinated, Nelson Marlborough Health chief executive Lexie O’Shea encouraged those eligible to get their booster shots. “Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. If you are over 18 and your booster is due, please get it now.” Other established protocols are also encouraged especially the wearing of a well-fitting, effective face mask in order to reduce the risk of transmission of infected respiratory particles, and therefore slow the spread of the virus. Testing NMH urges anyone with symptoms to get tested. GBCH carried out 107 tests during the period 24 January to 8 February, and provides the following advice: “If you are unwell with Covid-like symptoms or have an urgent concern, call us and we will arrange a ‘Triage call back’ and assessment with one of our doctors or nurses. If required, you will be booked for a Covid test and asked to come in to the medical centre.” Information and advice on preparing for Covid is available at: https://covid19.govt. nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/be-preparedfor-covid-19/
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Inside: Community Board Down to Earth Rural Views Movie review Arts Council THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2022
Omicron cases in Bay
S c h e d u l e d • S c e n i c • C h a rt e r ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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