Access has been restored to communities around the region.

Teams and assets from Fire and Emergency NZ have been deployed to where they are needed.

Rural welfare checks continue to be undertaken by the East Coast Rural Support Trust and the Wairarapa EOC.

We will be moving our focus from our initial response phase to a recovery phase this week. This means coordinating efforts to address the medium and long-term regeneration of our impacted communities.

This will include provision of a Mayoral Fund. Details are being finalised and application criteria and process will be released as soon as this has taken place.

Roads
Please continue to avoid unnecessary travel on our vulnerable roads. Some roads are still only accessible by 4WD and for essential travel only. If you’re on a vulnerable the road, you could be putting yourself at risk, or causing damage that will put others at risk. See road updates at www.swdc.govt.nz/road-alerts

Support
Please help us spread the messages to those who may not have contact with so we can provide support to those who need it.

We’re urging those with welfare issues relating accommodation, food, or other needs because of the severe weather to call 0800 CD WAIRARAPA (0800 239 247).

Rural farmers can contact the Rural Support Trust through their Facebook page Rural Support Trust – Wairarapa

If you and your family have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, you may be able to get a Civil Defence Payment. Call 0800 400 100. Open 7am – 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm Saturday and 8am – 1pm on Sunday. Visit the website for information about the Civil Defence Payment.

Donations
Regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle have been inundated with your generous donations. Please only donate goods if you know a specific community has asked for them, otherwise the best help people can give is to donate funds at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/cyclone-gabrielle-community-support