Key Takeaways:
- Torrential rain and strong winds caused widespread flooding and damage in Northland, with multiple campgrounds and homes affected
- The flooding was particularly severe in the akura and Whangaruru areas, with roads and bridges blocked or washed out
- Campers at Elliot Bay Campground were trapped by slips, and some were forced to evacuate on foot or by motorbike
- Civil Defence Centres were activated at several marae, providing shelter and support to those affected
- Power outages affected over 750 households, and wet weather is expected to continue in the region throughout the week
Introduction to the Floods
The recent floods in Northland have caused significant damage and disruption to the community, with many residents and visitors affected by the torrential rain and strong winds. The flooding was particularly severe in the akura and Whangaruru areas, with roads and bridges blocked or washed out. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that the rain arrived suddenly, hours earlier than forecast predictions, and intensified far beyond what campers or even the campground operators had anticipated.
The Experience of Campers
For campers at Elliot Bay Campground, the night was a terrifying experience. Julia Czerwonatis, a former Whangārei woman, was camping with her husband and 5-year-old son when the bad weather hit. She described the rain as feeling like a river running under the tent, and said that the wind and rain built to a peak between 5am and dawn, pushing more water across the sloping beachside campgrounds. The family was forced to partially pack up and prepare to move quickly if needed, and eventually joined others evacuating the campground via the pua–kiato car ferry.
The Impact on Local Communities
The flooding has had a significant impact on local communities, with many residents affected by the power outages, road closures, and property damage. In Whangārei, Parua Bay resident Kathy Wallace said that the floodwaters covering her driveway were worse than when Cyclone Gabrielle hit. The Ngaiotonga Bridge was washed out on Rāwhiti Rd, just south of Whangaruru North Rd, and was expected to be closed for some time. Civil Defence Northland reported that three houses were evacuated due to landslides, and occupants were able to safely relocate to local marae.
The Response to the Floods
The response to the floods has been coordinated by Civil Defence Northland, Whangārei District Council, Far North District Council, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Northpower, and the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema). Civil Defence Centres were activated at several marae, providing shelter and support to those affected. The marae had solar power installed after Cyclone Gabrielle, specifically for civil defence use, and this system has been used to provide food, hot showers, and hot drinks to those in need.
The Weather Outlook
The weather outlook for Northland is not promising, with wet weather expected to continue throughout the week. MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said that Northland was likely to get showers through today and tomorrow, and that a system moving south from the tropics was expected to bring heavy rain and strong northeasterly winds to the top of the North Island on Wednesday. The MetService severe weather outlook said that the forecaster was 30-60% confident that "warning amounts of rain" would fall in northern and eastern Northland.
Conclusion
The floods in Northland have been a significant event, causing widespread damage and disruption to the community. The response to the floods has been coordinated by multiple agencies, and Civil Defence Centres have been activated to provide shelter and support to those affected. As the community begins to clean up and recover, it is clear that the impact of the floods will be felt for some time to come. With wet weather expected to continue throughout the week, it is essential that residents and visitors remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe.