‘Lifeline’ road gouged out by raging floodwaters

A “lifeline” road in southern Wairarapa has been severely damaged by floodwaters, isolating several rural and coastal settlements. The gap at the Turanganui River bridge on Lake Ferry Road is several metres wide, splitting families and forcing residents to scramble for supplies.

Road Damage Isolates Communities

Several settlements on the road to Cape Palliser and Lake Ferry are completely cut off after the bridge was gouged out by raging floodwaters. Civil engineers are expected to assess the damage Wednesday morning, with hopes of reopening the road by the end of the day.

The damage follows torrential rain and gale-force winds earlier this week that left thousands without power and caused widespread flooding across the Wairarapa region.

Lake Ferry local Sharon Durrant said the community was initially cut off by flooding, but the full impact wasn’t felt until Tuesday when the road washed out. The river has diverted, cutting through the single-lane bridge where it meets the road.

Durrant said while locals were aware of the flood risk at the Turanganui River bridge, this was “by far the worst they’d ever seen.” She described being shocked by the way the water had ripped up the road’s surface.

“It’s always in the back of our mind, like, if that bridge goes that’s the lifeline to the southern Wairarapa coastline. It’s a lifeline, and it’s our biggest nightmare,” Durrant said.

Durrant’s son was among the last to cross the road before it became impassable shortly after 5:15 a.m. Tuesday. A human chain was formed Tuesday afternoon to ferry supplies across the river.

Durrant coordinated efforts to gather essential supplies, including eggs, milk, bread, nappies, beer, and medicine, for those in need.

Stream kaitiaki and Mountains to Sea catchment coordinator Natasha Robinson has been helping to transport supplies. She said the bridge was past its prime.

“I’ve been collecting supplies through this channel from people on the other side, just to get supplies to the old ones and to get medical supplies as well. It’s the only way,” Robinson said.

Food is also being transported across farmland to reach families still cut off by flooding.

A South Wairarapa District Council spokesperson said two bridges in the area need repair, but a timeframe for repairs cannot be determined until assessments are completed Wednesday morning.

“We are asking people not to attempt to cross the rivers or use the bridges,” the spokesperson said.

The Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre is working with partners to re-establish connections and deliver supplies, with police delivering supplies to Kohunui Marae in Pirinoa. Welfare staff are assessing needs and providing assistance.

Residents have also expressed concern about the Hurupi Stream bridge, also known as the ‘banana bridge,’ on Cape Palliser Road, which has also been undermined by erosion.