The East Coast of the NI in a state of civil emergency after Cyclone Hale.

[JennyLeez]

Video from NZ Herald
Cyclone Hale leaves a path of distruction on the East Coast

Write up from RNZ
Damage largely caused by branches and logs

A Tairāwhiti resident says her home would not have flooded if it wasn't for a sea of logs that blocked a nearby river during heavy rain.

The region has been battered by heavy rain as cyclone Hale passed down the country, and was put in a state of emergency on Tuesday evening.

Linda Gough, who lives inland in Tolaga Bay next to the Mangatokerau River, says she was keeping an eye on the banks on Tuesday evening as the rain was pelting down.

At about 9.30pm it was high tide, and Gough said the river banks looked high, but not like they were going to breach. She felt at ease.

But then, logs started drifting downstream.

"Within that hour, our whole property was underwater. Water was coming up the stairs, running underneath [the house], it killed off all our power, all the freezers, fridges," Gough said.

Come Wednesday there was a sea of logs and debris where the river used to be and destruction to her entire property.

"We can't get out our driveway, our fences are gone, the gate's gone, there's not a paddock left - everything is covered in silt and logs ... it's just not fair and it wouldn't happened if it wasn't for the logs," she said.

The logs  are the waste products from forestry operations and are an ongoing problem for the East Coast.



From the poster - and it is time this was dealt with. Our hills and land are all covered with left over branches and logs. Gone are the nice clean green pastures. Instead they look as below and a bone of contention for those affected. Cyclone Hale has not been the first nor will it be the last to create this havoc. All for the almighty dollar

The Forest Owners Association says companies are trying to address the problem of forestry slash damaging neighbouring properties in storms.

Really!!!! Cyclone Bola was in 1988, 34 years ago. Them on the The Forest Owners Association seem to be some what taking there time 

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