Key Takeaways
- A woman, Jazmyn Welch, was rescued by kayak from her Coromandel home on Wednesday morning due to severe flooding.
- The flooding was caused by heavy rainfall, with water levels reaching neck-deep and fast-flowing around her home.
- Welch and her partner were rescued by her father, a volunteer firefighter, who paddled through trees to reach them.
- The flooding was unlike anything Welch had experienced before, including during Cyclone Gabrielle.
- Civil Defence has opened up a local hall for residents who need to evacuate, and Welch and her partner are currently staying at her father’s home.
Introduction to the Flood
The recent flooding in Coromandel has left many residents in a state of shock and distress. Jazmyn Welch, a resident of Kūaotunu, north of Whitianga, was one of the many people affected by the severe flooding. She was rescued by kayak from the deck of her home on Wednesday morning, after her partner, Holly, alerted her to the rising water levels at around 5:30 am. The water was already at eye-level, and it was still rising, making it a dire situation for the couple.
The Rescue Efforts
Welch’s partner, Holly, had gotten up for work early in the morning and was the first to notice the flooding. She immediately alerted Welch, who then called her father’s partner, a volunteer firefighter, for help. The firefighter quickly organized a kayak, and Welch’s father, John, came to rescue the couple from their balcony. The water was getting higher by the minute, and the current was so strong that it had already swept away their barbecue and gas bottle. John Welch took the women to safety one at a time, paddling through trees to the nearest dry land about 100 meters away.
The Extent of the Flooding
The flooding was severe, with water levels reaching neck-deep and fast-flowing around Welch’s home. The house, which is on stilts, was completely surrounded by water, making it inaccessible by any other means. Welch described the scene as "like sitting in the river," with water rushing all around them. The couple was lucky to have moved their cars to higher ground the night before, but they had to leave most of their belongings behind, stacking them on high shelves and on top of the beds. They took only their car keys, passports, phones, and a change of clothes in dry bags provided by the fire brigade.
The Aftermath
Welch and her partner are currently staying at her father’s home, but many of their neighbors have been forced to evacuate to the Kūaotunu Hall, which has been opened up by Civil Defence. With more rain expected overnight, Welch is worried that her house may go underwater, causing significant damage to their property. She has never experienced anything like this before, not even during Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused major flooding and road damage in the area. The experience has been traumatic, and Welch is still trying to come to terms with the severity of the flooding.
The Community Response
The community has come together to support those affected by the flooding, with Civil Defence playing a key role in coordinating the response efforts. The Kūaotunu Hall has been set up as a temporary shelter for those who need to evacuate, and volunteers are working to provide food, clothing, and other essential items to those in need. Welch’s father, John, who rescued his daughter and her partner, is a volunteer firefighter, and his actions demonstrate the bravery and selflessness of the community in the face of disaster.
Conclusion
The flooding in Coromandel has been a devastating event, with many residents affected by the rising water levels. Jazmyn Welch’s story is just one example of the many people who have been impacted by the flooding. The community has come together to support those in need, and the response efforts are ongoing. As the region braces for more rain, residents are holding their breath, hoping that the worst is over. The experience has been a traumatic one for Welch and her partner, but they are grateful to be safe and dry, and they are praying that their house will remain intact.