Storms flood Waimarama - Damage Marae

Wednesday 27 April will go down in history as the worst floods to hit Coastal Hawke's Bay. Within 24 hours streams were turned into raging rivers and hills into mud slips. Main roads were torrential flood rivers with silt, mud and rocks coming off the hills and spilling onto the flats [where the Marae and kaumatua whares are located]. All the kaumatua had to be evacuated to higher ground. The damage was substantial to the communtiy including houses, schools, marae, farms and roads. Our marae was in the direct path of the flood waters looking to escape to the ocean and was submerged in water and silt. All the buildings were flooded especially our whare tipuna. Fortunately there were no human casulties, however it will take some time to clean up the mess. We are working with our insurance company and civil defence in a coordinated effort to clean up and repair damages. Here are a few pictures of the aftermath. ps. There will be no bookings/ tangi/ hui etc on the marae until further notice. This is likely to be at least a few months.