Key Takeaways:
- The Northland floods have caused widespread destruction and isolation in communities, with homes destroyed and some residents left with nothing.
- The settlement of akura was particularly hard hit, with homes and businesses flooded, and the community hall severely damaged.
- Residents are calling for a flooding mitigation plan to be put in place to prevent similar disasters in the future.
- The community is coming together to support each other and start the clean-up and recovery process.
- The floods have caused significant damage to properties, with some homes experiencing water levels reaching as high as 1 meter deep.
Introduction to the Devastation
The recent Northland floods have brought devastation to many communities, with akura being one of the hardest hit areas. George Gee, a resident who spends his weekends at his holiday home on akura Road, described the scene as "heavy, heavy, heavy rain, thunder and lightning" that started at 4am. The water rose rapidly, flooding his kitchen and cabins, with his children and grandchildren’s bedrooms experiencing water levels almost a meter deep. The community is still reeling from the disaster, with many homes and businesses affected, and the community hall severely damaged.
Personal Stories of Loss and Devastation
Gee’s story is not an isolated one, with many residents experiencing similar flooding and damage to their properties. Shanne McInnes, another resident, found his Holden ute underwater, with the console fully flooded, and his garage was also affected, with his boat floating on its trailer. McInnes had only been in akura for a year, but his neighbors had never seen flooding like this before. The community hall, which was recently renovated, was also severely damaged, with a slip smashing through the rear wall and muddy water flowing out the front doors.
Community Response and Resilience
Despite the devastation, the community is coming together to support each other and start the clean-up and recovery process. Rātu Hiku, a resident of nearby Ohawini Bay, described the community hall’s damage as a "tragedy" but remained positive that the community would overcome the challenges ahead. Hiku emphasized the importance of the community coming together and supporting each other, saying "we are a good strong community and we keep together and we will just push on through." The community is already starting to organize clean-up efforts and plan for the long road to recovery.
Need for Flooding Mitigation Plan
Donna Kerridge, a resident of akura, highlighted the need for a flooding mitigation plan to prevent similar disasters in the future. Kerridge, who lost the whole first storey of her home, said that homes that had never flooded before were now experiencing flooding, and that the community needed to take action to prevent this from happening again. Kerridge also expressed her personal loss, including the destruction of her "irreplaceable" books and writings about rongoā Māori. The community is calling for a plan to be put in place to protect their homes and properties from future flooding.
Recovery and Rebuilding
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the community is determined to rebuild and come back stronger. The clean-up efforts are already underway, with residents working together to clear debris and repair damaged properties. The community is also coming together to support each other, with many residents offering help and assistance to those who have been affected. As the community starts to rebuild, they will need to work together to ensure that they are better prepared for future flooding events and that their homes and properties are protected. The experience of the Northland floods will be a difficult one to forget, but it will also serve as a reminder of the importance of community resilience and determination.