Key Takeaways
- Torrential rain has caused widespread flooding and damage across Northland’s east coast, cutting off several communities.
- Up to 200mm of rain fell overnight, with coastal areas experiencing "significant flooding".
- Communities such as Punaruku, Ōakura, Ngunguru, Whangaruru, and Helena Bay are among the worst affected, with roads closed due to slips, floodwaters, and damaged bridges.
- Emergency services and Civil Defence are working to support affected communities, with marae opening to shelter displaced residents.
- The impact of the flooding is being described as "even more severe" than Cyclone Gabrielle in some areas.
Introduction to the Flooding
Communities along Northland’s east coast have been severely impacted by torrential rain, which has washed out roads and bridges overnight, leaving widespread flooding and damage across the region. MetService reported that up to 200mm of rain fell over the eastern hills north of Whangārei, with coastal areas experiencing "significant flooding" in the morning. The flooding has cut off several communities, including Punaruku, Ōakura, Ngunguru, Whangaruru, and Helena Bay, with roads closed due to slips, surging floodwaters, and damaged bridges.
Emergency Response and Support
Civil Defence Northland has been working to support affected communities, with Whangārei District Council chief executive Simon Weston stating that nearly all prior affected areas of the district were now accessible by road. However, Civil Defence is now preparing for more heavy rain forecast for later in the week. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell has urged residents to stay updated through Civil Defence and has offered government support to Whangārei’s mayor. MetService meteorologist Heather Keats explained that the overnight deluge followed a rapid late evening shift in the weather models, prompting the heavy rain watch to be issued at 8:30pm.
Impact of the Flooding
The impact of the flooding is being described as "even more severe" than Cyclone Gabrielle in some areas. Civil Defence Northland said the east coast had "taken a hit" from the edge of the current cell moving through, with extensive flooding affecting the east coast of Punaruku, Ōakura, and Ngunguru. The roads to these areas have been closed due to surface flooding and land slips. Ngātiwai Iwi has opened its marae to shelter whānau and community members who have been displaced by flooding, with the Iwi’s Trust Board stating that many of their kāinga have been severely impacted, with homes flooded, slips, bridges washed out, and widespread flooding.
Community Experiences
Residents in the affected areas have described the flooding as unexpected and severe. Ōakura resident Doug Hanna said the flooding hit in the early hours of Sunday morning, with many locals sleeping through the danger. He went door-to-door between 5am and 6am, waking neighbors whose cars were close to being submerged. The floodwaters had since dropped significantly, but at their peak were knee-deep in some areas. Amy Tipene told 1News that she was heading to Auckland for her son’s football academy when she came across flooding at Scows Landing, between Ngunguru and Whangārei, describing it as "pretty scary" as the river was breaking its bank and still rising.
Road Closures and Evacuations
The flooding has forced the closure of several roads, with Whangārei District Council stating that surface flooding has affected vehicle access to Whangaruru Peninsula, Bland Bay, Punaruku, Ōakura, and Helena Bay. Russel Rd was open to one lane between SH1 and Ōakura, but Whangaruru North Rd and Whangaruru Wharf Rd were still blocked by multiple slips across both lanes. The areas of Ngunguru, Helena Bay, Ōakura, Punaruku, and Whangaruru have been cut off by flooding, with the Whangarei District Council advising people not to attempt to travel in or out of these areas until the rain and flooding clear. Police have also advised motorists to avoid travel due to flooding and slips between Whangaruru and Helena Bay.