An aerial view of Gisborne following cyclones earlier in the year. The district council's principal scientist says the region hasn't had a chance to dry out. Photo: Ben Cowper / Gisborne Herald
Gisborne District Council's principal scientist Murry Cave has one word to describe the state of Tai Rāwhiti - fragile.
Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting from council buildings on Wednesday afternoon, Cave said there were a significant number of slips across the region, and a risk of more due to sodden land.
"We're expecting to see more landslides. The thing about the ground being so wet is we don't need much rain to actually trigger these.
"The ground is saturated."
Cave's flight over Tai Rāwhiti this week was cut short by bad weather, but still allowed enough time to see a significant number of landslide dams - areas where land had collapsed and blocked waterways.
These dams tended to be unstable, he said, and could fail instantaneously.
"That can pose a risk for downstream areas. If it fails, you've got a whole lot of water going down."
There was also bad news for a "significant number" of Makorori Beach Rd homeowners who received red stickers this week, Cave said.
The far end of that road could be put under Category 2 while further evaluation was undertaken.
Gisborne District Council principal scientist Murry Cave says the land in Tai Rāwhiti is in the worst shape it has been since he began the job six years ago. Photo: Supplied / Gisborne Herald
GNS was now looking into those properties, and a structural engineer had been called in for extra assistance.
"It's getting a bit larger than what we can cope with for just one person."
Meanwhile, properties in Valley Rd and Darwin Rd have also been red stickered this week.
Cave said one of the main issues facing the region was that it hadn't had a chance to properly dry out since Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Water tables were dangerously high, and in many cases, there was nowhere for excess water to drain.
The level of damage to much of the rural sector was still unknown, he said.
He urged those who hadn't yet informed the council of damage to their property to do so immediately.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
