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Flood on Pohara Valley Road, Takaka - Source: Supplied by Tess Farley
Flood washes debris down Ligar Bay beach - Source: Supplied by Giesela Winter -
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Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management today evacuated more homes in Nelson following a geotechnical inspection.
The Nelson and Tasman region suffered their worst floods in 50 years on Wednesday and Thursday when they were inundated with heavy rain.
As a precautionary measure, residents from around 30 homes in the Grenville Terrace area above the Rocks Road Slip are being evacuated after a slip inspection has identified further cracks in the slope and upslope.
Rocks Road is part of Nelson's main arterial route.
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Water, sewerage and wastewater may have been disrupted by the
recent ground movements and until the safety and integrity of the
services can verified, Civil Defence has determined the homes
require evacuation.
Civil Defence Controller Alec Louverdis said even though a property may not show signs of damage, it is part of a large block being affected by slope movement and they must take every precaution they can.
He said there could be further land movement.
Civil Defence tested the service by shutting off water to the area, affecting a further dozen or so residences in the area.
Residents are registering with Civil Defence so they can be cared for with welfare assistance and support.
Rocks Road remains close indefinitely for further inspection.
Meanwhile, the cordoned area has been further defined with pedestrian only access from Bisley Avenue to 589 Rocks Road and Magazine Point to Richardson Street.
Some pedestrians have been breaching the cordoned area on Rocks Road.
The street is closed due to several severe slips and is not safe for pedestrians.
Civil Defence is urging people not to go beyond the fenced area.
Police and New Zealand Transport Agency personnel will be staffing the fenced area.
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Civil Defence is investigating the possibility of requesting New Zealand Defence Force personnel to assist as well.
The area's current state of emergency is in place until Tuesday.
Beach ban
The Nelson and Tasman area's tourism industry is telling holiday makers not to change their plans to visit the region because of the flooding.
Beaches in the regions have closed after taking a battering from recent heavy rainfall but so far the impact on the local tourism industry has been minimal.
A temporary ban on swimming, bathing and shellfish gathering has been put in place at a number of Nelson and Tasman beaches ahead of the busy summer season.
Most residents and holidaymakers are leaving Totaranui from today following severe flooding.
Civil Defence said access to the beach spot will be closed for many months, and the process of clearing the roads will be reassessed following detailed geotechnical evaluation.
Tahunanui, Ligar Bay, Pohara Beach, Tata Beach, and all beaches at Rabbit Island, Rough Island and Motueka have been closed as of this morning.
The closures will be in place until further notice.
Power has been restored to the majority of homes in isolated Cable Bay and it's hoped access to the settlement will be re-opened within a week.
A second drop of food and supplies to the area will take place tomorrow.
Tankers delivered water to Pohara residents today as well as additional portaloos.
Damage to the water treatment plant cannot be fixed and replacement parts will be coming from Nelson.
Civil Defence is aiming to secure a non-potable water supply for 95% of Pohara and Ligar Bay residents by Christmas.
Numerous roads throughout the region remain blocked.
With Newstalk ZB
* See a
full list of road closures
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