Nita Petersen watches as fire service crew attempt to pump water from her flooded Given Avenue property in Whangamata. Photo / Lesley Staniland
Nita Petersen watches as fire service crew attempt to pump water from her flooded Given Avenue property in Whangamata. Photo / Lesley Staniland
In 28 years at her Whangamata house, Nita Petersen has never seen her property flooded as much as this morning.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out this morning and saw the flooding," the Given Avenue resident said.
"I managed to lift everything important off the floor in my studio but when the water started lapping at the the entrance to the house I rang 111," she said.
Flooding on Whangamata Golf Course. Photo / Supplied
Nita, one of 16 artists hosting a "hub" of more than 30 artists over Easter, was philosophical about the situation today.
"I was going to Wellington at the end of this week but that's off now. However, I think the studio will be fine by Easter," she said.
She suspects the ground in her neighbourhood hadn't recovered entirely from the floods of March 8 to 12 when a year's normal rainfall fell on Whangamata in four days.
She said she would cook breakfast for the crew before they left.
Fire crews were tired after receiving their first call at 9.42 last night, followed by a further six calls during the night - all for flooded garages or basements, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jim Barker said.
Nita Petersen wades to her studio in Whangamata, flooded by heavy rainfall.
He said heavier rain was predicted for this afternoon and with high tide due about 2pm there could be more flooding.
They were unable to get a relief crew to help out so both local crews were getting weary, he said.
Danielle Watson-Smith had been on night duty at the Whangamata St John Ambulance. She had no callouts buther fire pager and the town's fire siren kept her awake all night.
Danielle Watson-Smith completed a night shift at St John Ambulance Station in Whangamata during the storm.
As soon as her shift ended at 7am she headed for the fire station and was on hand to help pump out one of two properties in Casement Rd, Whangamata.
Meanwhile, roads around the Coromandel have been closed from flooding or slips. Hikuai School is closed as flooding at Hikuai made two major roads impassable.
■ SH25 just north of Waiomu is currently closed between Whalebone Bridge and Ruamahunga due to a slip
