Key Takeaways
- A family in Kūaotunu, New Zealand, was rescued from their flooded home by a volunteer firefighter after calling for help during Cyclone Gabrielle.
- The family’s house, which is on stilts, was surrounded by water, and they had to be taken to safety one at a time by kayak.
- The family had prepared for the flood by moving their cars to higher ground and stacking their belongings on high shelves, but they still had to evacuate with only their essential items.
- The family is currently staying at a safe location, but they are worried about the house going underwater with more rain expected overnight.
- Civil Defence has opened up a nearby hall for other residents who need to evacuate, and the community is coming together to support those affected by the flood.
Introduction to the Flood
The recent floods in Kūaotunu, New Zealand, have caused widespread devastation, with many homes and properties affected by the rising waters. One family, who had only recently moved to the area, found themselves in a desperate situation as their house was surrounded by water. Jazmyn Welch, who was trapped in the house with her partner, describes the terrifying experience of waiting for rescue as the water continued to rise. With the help of her father’s partner, a volunteer firefighter, the family was eventually rescued by kayak and taken to safety.
The Rescue Effort
The rescue effort was a dramatic and intense experience for the family, who were trapped in their house with no way to escape. Welch’s father, John, who was a volunteer firefighter, sprang into action as soon as he received the call for help. He organised a kayak and came to the house, where he rescued the women one at a time, paddling through trees to the nearest dry land about 100m away. The current next to the house was rushing so fast that the family’s barbecue and gas bottle were swept away, and the water was getting higher by the minute. Welch describes the scene as "the craziest thing I’ve ever seen", with water rushing all around them and the house surrounded by water on all sides.
Preparation and Evacuation
Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the flood, the family had taken some steps to prepare for the worst. They had moved their cars to higher ground the night before, and had stacked their belongings on high shelves and on top of the beds. They had also blocked any gaps under the doors as best they could, in an attempt to prevent the water from entering the house. However, as the water continued to rise, it became clear that they would have to evacuate, taking only their essential items with them. Welch and her partner took only their car keys, passports, phones, and a change of clothes each, in dry bags provided by the fire brigade. They were forced to leave behind many of their belongings, and are now waiting to see if their house will be damaged further by the ongoing flood.
Aftermath and Community Response
The family is currently staying at Welch’s father’s home, which is safely located on higher ground. However, many of their neighbours have not been so lucky, and have had to evacuate their homes due to the flood. Civil Defence has opened up Kūaotunu Hall as a temporary shelter for those who need to evacuate, and the community is coming together to support those affected by the flood. Welch describes the experience as "pretty, pretty scary", and is unsure if their house will be damaged further by the ongoing flood. With more rain expected overnight, the family is anxiously waiting to see what the future holds, but for now, they are safe and dry, and grateful for the help of the volunteer firefighter who rescued them.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The floods in Kūaotunu have been a devastating reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. For the family who were rescued from their flooded home, the experience has been a traumatic one, but they are grateful to be safe and sound. As the community comes together to support those affected by the flood, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and challenging. However, with the help of emergency services and the support of their community, the family is hopeful that they will be able to rebuild and recover from this disaster. For now, they are focusing on staying safe and dry, and waiting to see what the future holds.
