17 Apr 2017

Hundreds still without power on East Coast

7:22 pm on 17 April 2017

Hundreds of people on the North Island's East Coast are now into their fourth day without power following last week's storm.

An aerial shot of Edgecumbe on Sunday.

An aerial shot of Edgecumbe on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

Lines company Horizon Networks said it still had about 100 customers without power, in Ruatahuna, Te Mahoe, Waiohau and parts of Ōpōtiki.

A spokesperson also warned people in Whakatāne township that while power had been restored, there could be further cuts because of problems with a transmission line.

In Gisborne, Eastland Network said it has restored power to almost everyone, with only 30 houses still affected, mostly at the top of Tauwhareparae Road.

In Hawke's Bay, Unison said 80 houses scattered throughout the region were still without power.

Networks manager Danny Gough said they were on track to have all homes reconnected later today.

He was also expecting to have fuse problems that left some people withiout hot water fixed by the end of the day.

About 100 remote Eastland customers north of Gisborne are still without power.

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