Key Takeaways:
- State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is likely to remain closed for several weeks due to significant damage from heavy rainfall.
- The damage includes dozens of slips, washed out sections of road, and overwhelmed culverts.
- Over 40 people were stranded and rescued by helicopter, with a coordinated response involving local authorities and the New Zealand Defence Force.
- The closure will cause significant disruptions to travel, with motorists advised to delay travel or take lengthy detours.
- The safety of crews and motorists is the top priority, with geotechnical assessments and drone surveys ongoing to assess the damage.
Introduction to the Crisis
The recent extreme weather event that hit the Waioweka Gorge has caused significant damage to State Highway 2, the main route between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki. The heavy rainfall, which dumped 322mm of rain in 48 hours, triggered dozens of slips, washed out sections of road, and forced more than 40 stranded people to be rescued by helicopter. The damage is so severe that the road is likely to remain closed for several weeks, causing significant disruptions to travel and commerce in the region.
Assessing the Damage
According to NZTA Waikato and Bay of Plenty maintenance and operations manager Roger Brady, geotechnical assessments and drone surveys have revealed that the damage is far worse than initial crews could see. The sheer number of slips and continuing debris falling mean that this is a complex and challenging situation. Crews have spent the weekend clearing smaller slips to gain access to larger, more dangerous sites, with up to 40 slips confirmed, including four to eight major slips at both ends of the gorge. The safety of crews will always come first, and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is working to ensure that the road is reopened safely and efficiently.
The Rescue Effort
The long-term closure of the road follows a major rescue effort after Friday’s heavy rain trapped dozens of motorists between slips. By midnight Friday, more than 40 people had been airlifted out by a coordinated response involving local helicopter pilots, the New Zealand Defence Force, Police Search and Rescue, and regional councils. Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney described the effort as "significant" and confirmed that everyone known to be in the gorge had been accounted for. A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter rescued 35 people, ferrying them from Manganuku Campsite to welfare centres at Ōpōtiki Airfield and Matawai.
The Impact on Travel
The closure of State Highway 2 will have a significant impact on travel in the region, with motorists advised to delay travel or take lengthy detours via SH35 or SH5. The NZTA is working to provide alternative routes and to keep the public informed about the status of the road. However, the closure is likely to cause significant disruptions to commerce and daily life in the region, and motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the damage to State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is significant, and the road is likely to remain closed for several weeks. The NZTA and other authorities are working to assess the damage and to reopen the road safely and efficiently. In the meantime, motorists are advised to delay travel or take lengthy detours, and to keep an eye on updates from the NZTA and other authorities. The safety of crews and motorists is the top priority, and the NZTA is committed to providing a safe and efficient transport network for the region.