Key Takeaways:
- A massive slip has blocked Russell Rd at Helena Bay, Northland, cutting off the community and affecting local businesses.
- The slip is expected to take two months to repair, with the government to be approached for financial assistance.
- 16 people and 9 pets have been evacuated from akura, with many more affected by the flooding and slip.
- The community is being urged to pull together and support each other, with civil defence and emergency services working to provide help as needed.
- The area has taken a double hit, with two severe weather events in one week, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Introduction to the Crisis
The recent weather bomb that hit the coast northeast of Whangārei has caused widespread destruction and disruption, with a massive slip blocking Russell Rd at Helena Bay, Northland. The slip, which includes a boulder covering two-thirds of the road, has cut off the community and is affecting local businesses, including the famous akura Skips Fish n Chips shop. The shop’s owners, Bruce and Dana Williams, were forced to flee their home in chest-height water early on Sunday and are currently staying at the top of Helena Bay hill with their daughter Ella Williams.
The Williams’ Terrifying Escape
Bruce and Dana Williams’ escape from their flooded akura rental property was a terrifying experience. They waded through chest-height floodwaters in darkness to get to their shop 200m down the road, with the water coming in the back door of their home. The couple and their two adult sons and dog walked for 10 minutes to get to the shop on slightly higher ground, where their son then grabbed a boat and went around the flooded valley yelling at people to wake up and get out because of flooding. The couple is currently working with Northland Civil Defence to find emergency accommodation and are exhausted from the ordeal.
Assessing the Damage
The Whangārei District Council Civil Defence staff are working to assess the damage and find a solution to the giant slip’s impacts. Heavy machinery will be needed to evaluate the size and other features of the slip, but it will be a couple of days before that can happen. The Government will be approached for financial assistance towards repairs, with the cost expected to be significant. Council roading contractors will be working on the slip, while wastewater staff will head to akura once slip access is sorted. Building inspectors will follow, to check weather-affected properties.
Community Support and Response
The community is being urged to pull together and support each other, with civil defence and emergency services working to provide help as needed. 16 people and 9 pets have been evacuated from akura, with many more affected by the flooding and slip. The area has taken a double hit, with two severe weather events in one week, causing widespread damage and disruption. The community is being advised to lean on each other and keep up the co-operation demonstrated so far. Civil defence and emergency services are working to make sure people receive help as required, with people able to be helicoptered out to emergency medical help if needed.
The Road to Recovery
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, with the slip expected to take two months to repair. The community will need to come together to support each other and rebuild. The government’s financial assistance will be crucial in helping to repair the damage and get the community back on its feet. The experience of Bruce and Dana Williams and their family is a testament to the resilience and strength of the community, and it is this spirit that will help them to recover and rebuild in the face of adversity. As the community begins the long process of recovery, it is clear that it will take time, effort, and support from all parties involved to get back to normal.