Horizon Networks wishes to advise customers that Cyclone Cook's devastation have left multiple downed power lines, trees and slips throughout the community, causing multiple outages across the region. Multiple downed power lines, broken poles and trees in the line resulted in loss of electricity to numerous parts of the community and Horizon Networks is working to restore power progressively. The compounded effects of Cyclone Debbie and Cyclone Cook has taken its toll on all forms of infrastructure in the region.

As at 2:30pm the following areas remain without power:

Whakatane District
o Parts of Ruatahuna (expected restoration by 6pm)
o Te Mahoe and Waiohau (expected restoration by 6pm)
o Part Raroa Road (expected restoration by 6pm)

Opotiki District
o Papanui Road (expected restoration by 6pm)

Further to our last update we have restored a further 350 customers, there remains 250 customers without power across the district. Supplies feeding a limited number of customers in Fermah Road, Grace Road, Wainui Road, Waiotahe Beach Raod, Gow Road/Tablelands Road Opotiki, and Herema Road may remain without power overnight until crews can attend them tomorrow.

Horizon Networks would like to take this opportunity to thank consumers for their patience, support and understanding during this difficult holiday period and would like to give reassurance that our dedicated crews and support staff will continue to progressively restore outages as crews become available in a safe manner in line with our guiding principle of keeping our community switched on.

The weather forecast is predicting further rain for the district over the coming days, this may result in further outages and delays in restoring supply across the region due to slips and trees. Even customers fortunate to have had their power supplies restored today should prepare themselves for further extended outages.

Horizon Networks apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and advises all customers to contact their retailers in the first instance and to treat ALL lines as alive at ALL times.

For more information about preparing for natural disasters or civil emergencies, please visit the Civil Defence website at www.getthru.govt.nz. People can also follow the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bopcivildefence or visit the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website at www.whakatane.govt.nz/news/severe-weather-event-updates-april-2017#latest for the latest updates.

For radio updates listen to your local radio station.