Before and after Cyclone Gabrielle

In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle seriously damaged Devil’s Elbow on State Highway 2 (SH2). This publication dedicated Volume 22 Issue 4 to covering the event. It caused more than 100 faults, which needed major repairs.

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance repaired this road so that both lanes were available again. Multiple recovery sites on SH2 included underslips (below the road), overslips (above the road), culverts (large pipes), repairs and drainage.

It includes the Devil’s Elbow section where TREC completed repairs at 11 sites.

The last of these (and their most complex) – at Devil’s Corner – was completed in December 2025.

A 4-kilometre stretch of road was asphalted in February and March 2026 providing a smoother drive over this badly damaged section and completing major Hawke’s Bay recovery work on SH2.