Re: ‘It’s like a bath, if you don’t remove the plug it will overflow’, July 5 story. 

Will be interesting to read this review and recommendations from Wairoa. 

Similarly in Gisborne, this is akin to proactive removal of wood debris build-up at the city bridges in such events. Remove the plug and it is less likely to overflow. 

John Wells had commented earlier about the potential of considerably lower water levels had this happened here in Cyclone Gabrielle at a far earlier stage. 

That would have saved a fair number of homes being flooded, potentially saving a number of now having to be lifted at considerable expense. 

It did worry me that nothing seemed to be happening as the most recent event unfolded, and a high tide at a different time might have made a fair few more anxious. 

We never got answers as to why a number of offers during Gabrielle were turned down and why. Will that ever be answered for those affected? 

Peter Millar