From the Mayor
Mayor Martin Connelly
We will all be talking about Cyclone Gabrielle for a very long time. It was the most destructive weather events in our lifetime, causing most of the North Island to be put into a State of National Civil Defence Emergency. As I write this, on the 18th of February, the cyclone has resulted in 10 deaths. 5000 more people are unaccounted for, and many thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes.
In the Wairarapa, the worst affected area seems to be around Tinui, but closer to home the White Rock Road and Pahaoa Road have been severely affected and people have been cut off. Most people who live near the Wairarapa Coast are likely to have experienced road-slips, power outages or phone problems.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of people who died in this disaster. I also express my sympathy to those whose lives have been severely and dramatically altered by the Cyclone. Just as with the Christchurch Earthquake, the after-effects of this cyclone are going to last for a very long time.
Unsurprisingly, people in the Wairarapa have been keen to help. Over the past two days I have been linking groups here, who are working out ways to assist those in the North, with matching organisations in the Hawkes Bay who can receive that assistance. Thank you to everyone in the Wairarapa who has found a way to help our unfortunate neighbours. … Continue Reading
Recent Comments