Key Takeaways
- Emergency services in New Zealand are searching for several people, including a child, believed missing after a landslide hit a campsite during storms that have caused widespread damage across the North Island.
- The landslide struck on Thursday morning at a campground in the tourist hotspot of Mount Maunganui on the east coast, with a young girl among those unaccounted for.
- The storms have caused record-breaking torrential rain, with local states of emergency declared in five regions across Northland and the East Cape.
- Emergency services have rescued people from rooftops, with helicopters deployed to reach families sheltering from flooding.
- The government has thanked emergency crews for their efforts and is doing everything it can to support those affected by the extreme weather.
Introduction to the Disaster
The recent storms in New Zealand have caused widespread damage and destruction, with emergency services searching for several people, including a child, believed missing after a landslide hit a campsite. The landslide occurred on Thursday morning at a campground in the tourist hotspot of Mount Maunganui on the east coast. Emergency minister Mark Mitchell described the affected areas as looking like "a war zone", with helicopters deployed to rescue families sheltering on rooftops from flooding. The storms have caused record-breaking torrential rain, with local states of emergency declared in five regions across Northland and the East Cape.
The Landslide and Its Aftermath
The landslide struck the campsite, with a young girl among those unaccounted for. Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman William Pike said that the first people on the scene heard calls for help from inside the landslip. Witnesses described hearing an incredibly loud noise before seeing a large chunk of hillside hit the campsite. Footage from Mount Maunganui revealed overturned camper vans and upturned trees, with people running and screaming as they tried to escape the disaster. The aftermath of the landslide has been devastating, with widespread damage and destruction reported.
Rescue Efforts and Emergency Responses
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to rescue those affected by the storms and landslide. Firefighters have rescued people from rooftops, with helicopters deployed to reach families sheltering from flooding. The Tairāwhiti Fire and Emergency department has shared photos of houses inundated with logging waste, mud, and water, and cars and fences largely buried. The department has warned that the situation is dire, with more heavy rain expected to fall on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of further landslides, flooding, and dangerous river conditions.
Stories of Survival and Rescue
As the full extent of the damage becomes clear, stories of harrowing escapes and incredible rescues are emerging. A 94-year-old man was trapped by flood waters in Coromandel, but was rescued by a community that came to his aid. A woman was rescued by kayak as neck-high, fast-flowing water surrounded her home. An Australian man, Sonny Worrall, narrowly escaped the landslide while swimming in a nearby pool, describing it as the "scariest thing" he had ever experienced.
Government Response and Support
The government has thanked emergency crews for their efforts and is doing everything it can to support those affected by the extreme weather. Prime minister Christopher Luxon said that the government was committed to providing support to those in need, and that all those who were putting themselves in harm’s way to keep Kiwis safe were appreciated. The National Emergency Management Agency has warned that more heavy rain is expected, and has urged people to stay safe and follow evacuation instructions.
Ongoing Challenges and Risks
As the situation continues to unfold, emergency services are facing ongoing challenges and risks. The saturated ground and predicted heavy rain increase the risk of further landslides, flooding, and dangerous river conditions. The government and emergency services are working together to mitigate these risks and provide support to those affected. The people of New Zealand are coming together to support each other, with communities rallying around those in need. As the country begins to rebuild and recover, it is clear that the impact of the storms and landslide will be felt for a long time to come.
