Key Takeaways:
- A landslide at a Mt Maunganui campsite has left several people unaccounted for, with a rescue operation underway
- A man is still missing after being swept away in floodwaters in Auckland, with police searching for him
- Two people are missing after a landslide in Bay of Plenty, with emergency services working to locate them
- Over 8,000 people are still without power, with the majority of outages in the eastern Waikato and significant pockets in Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti
- Multiple roads are closed due to flooding and landslides, including State Highway 2 and SH25
Introduction to the Disaster
The recent severe weather event has caused widespread damage and disruption across the North Island, with multiple regions affected by flooding, landslides, and power outages. The situation is still unfolding, with emergency services working to locate missing people and restore essential services. The impact of the disaster is being felt across the region, with many communities affected by the severe weather.
The Situation in Bay of Plenty
In Bay of Plenty, a large slip has come down on campervans and a shower block at the campground at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga, leaving several people unaccounted for. The campsite has been evacuated, and emergency services are working to locate anyone in the area. Police district commander superintendent Tim Anderson said that the number of people missing is in "single-figures" and that there had been acts of bravery by police staff overnight and on Thursday morning. Fire and Emergency said it hadn’t heard any signs of life from under the slip at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park since Thursday morning.
The Search for the Missing
The search for the missing people is ongoing, with police and emergency services working together to locate them. In Auckland, police are continuing to search for a man who went missing after being swept away in floodwaters at Mahurangi River, near Warkworth. The man’s wife said that her husband can swim and is hopeful he will survive. In Bay of Plenty, two people are still missing after a landslide in Papamoa, with emergency services working to locate them.
The Impact of the Disaster
The disaster has had a significant impact on the region, with over 8,000 people still without power. The majority of outages are in the eastern Waikato, and significant pockets in Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti. Multiple roads are closed due to flooding and landslides, including State Highway 2 and SH25. The Coromandel Peninsula is particularly affected, with around 2,000 people without power and limited access for crews to assess and repair.
The Response to the Disaster
The response to the disaster has been swift, with emergency services and authorities working together to respond to the situation. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said that the recovery phase would identify if there needs to be government support. "It’s been a very big event for us as a country, really hitting almost our entire eastern seaboard of the North Island. The good news is that everyone responded really quickly, and there was time to get prepared. That helps to mitigate and create a very strong response," Mitchell said.
The Ongoing Efforts
The ongoing efforts to respond to the disaster are focused on locating missing people, restoring essential services, and supporting affected communities. The situation is still unfolding, and emergency services are working to ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for. The impact of the disaster will be felt for some time, and it is essential that communities come together to support each other during this difficult time.
