Families still isolated

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32542, 27 February 1971, Page 1

Families still isolated

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, February 26. Helicopters from Wanganui have been brought in to check on the safety of 20 families isolated in the Waitotara Valley in Taranaki, 40 miles east of Hawera.

In another area, east of Stratford, about 12 families remained cut off by slips blocking access roads. In New Plymouth, mopping up continued and at least 11 businesses in the central area remained closed tonight. Others which had been affected were open for late-night shopping. Mr I, S. Wakeling, a Wanganui helicopter pilot, said tonight he had dropped in over the last two days on most families in the Waitotara Valley to ensure none were in need of help. It appeared most families had been prepared for flooding and had stocks to last until roads out of the valley

were cleared of waist-high silt. At Tututawa, east of Stratford, a dozen families were still cut off by slips. Stratford County Council workmen laboured all day to break through to the farmers, but by 6 p.m. had not done so. Communications to Tututawa and the Waitotara Valley were still not working and it was not possible to find out the damage-suffered. Reports of stock losses and lost pasture and wheat crops have begun to pour in. Eastern Taranaki farms are believed to have suffered heavy losses and many sheep have been lost. However, final tallies are unlikely for some time.