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Gisborne could be struck with more heavy rain next week, as it struggles to recover from the impact of Cyclone Hale.
Civil Defence said significant progress had been made in the past few days, clearing up slips and debris from this week’s storm.
It said good progress had been made clearing roads over the past few days, including the main coastal road, State Highway 35, which was now open for 12 hours each day.
The main road around the coast, State Highway 35, is now open to traffic for 12 hours during the day.
Access by four wheel drive vehicles was also restored to Whareponga, south of Ruatoria.
However, dozens of homes inland from Tolaga Bay were unlikely to have power restored today.
Civil Defence Emergency Manager Ben Green said it had been difficult to repair damaged electricity infrastructure supplying Tauwhareparae, east of Tolaga Bay.
There were about 53 properties still to be reconnected, but he said crews had worked 70 hours this week and were unlikely to reach them until tomorrow.
Metservice said a sub-tropical low, bringing more rain, would move onto the east of the North Island late on Thursday.
Although it was still uncertain how it would tack, forecasters said it would possibly bring more heavy falls to Gisborne from mid-Wednesday until late Thursday.
However, Hawke’s Bay north of Napier was likely to escape warning amounts of rain.
More than 60 parcels containing food or medical supplies have been distributed to Tairāwhiti families left isolated by Cyclone Hale.
Most of the parcels, which the Defence Force helped deliver, have gone to homes in Ruatoria, while about 10 went to other rural areas.
As of yesterday evening, 10 families were still in emergency accomodation, while six others were able to head home on Saturday morning.
Civil Defence said half of around 180 homes contacted yesterday needed help of some form.
The government has offered $100,000 towards recovery efforts in Gisborne, including one-on-one mentoring support.
A $150,000 contribution to the Mayoral Relief Fund has also been announced, to help with the clean-up.
The region was still in a state of emergency but was expected to move to a recovery phase next week.
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