Fire and Emergency crews continue to offer support in Wairoa

27 Pipiri 2024

Fire and Emergency New Zealand firefighters, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Specialist Water Rescue teams remain in Wairoa today assisting with recovery efforts following yesterday’s severe weather event.

Incident Commander for the Local Coordination Centre, Jason Hill, says USAR teams carried out initial assessments of approximately 500 buildings today.

"Our teams have assessed houses, sheds, garages, and shops to identify areas of most significant damage.

"From here local authorities will carry out a more detailed assessment of impacted properties," he says.

"We have specialist water rescue teams on standby, and drone operations have begun in affected flood areas.

"As well as this, crews from across the region are supporting our local volunteer brigades with cover so they can get a well-deserved break.

"Our thoughts are with the Wairoa community, and we continue to thank our crews for all their hard work," Jason Hill says.

Crews will remain in Wairoa while they are needed.