Hundreds stranded by Severe NZ storms
Pastor Dale Morgan
Hundreds stranded by Severe NZ storms*
By Xavier La Canna
February 07, 2007 05:51pm
Article from: AAP
ABOUT 500 people in New Zealand's north were cut off today after
widespread flooding swept away a highway bridge.
A 12m steel bridge on the only road linking the tourist spot of Cape
Reinga to the rest of New Zealand was washed away last night.
Far North District Council chief executive Clive Manley said tourists
trapped in the area were advised to stay put.
"Because of the heavy rain in the past few days many tourists had left,
but some remain," he said.
Mr Manley said he did not know if any Australians were among those
stranded, but mobile phones to the area still worked and anybody cut off
could still be contacted.
He said the situation would be monitored and arrangements were being
made to get emergency aid and food supplies through if necessary.
There are no known injuries caused by the flooding.
A temporary bridge would be set up during the next couple of days, he said.
A forecaster with New Zealand's weather bureau MetService, Bob Lake,
said the rains were about a once-a-decade event.
He said about 200mm of water had fallen in the region during the past
three days, almost 50 per cent more than the monthly average. Of that,
140mm fell yesterday.
Mr Lake said the worst of the rain appeared to be over, with storms
expected to reduce overnight.