Focus Live: Emergency Services give update on flood damage
Most of Auckland’s beaches are closed and residents should stay out of the water this weekend after last week’s devastating deluge, the region’s emergency management authorities say.
Many Waitangi Day events have been cancelled as what is expected to be a lengthy recovery, and clean-up continues.
Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher said although the weather had improved, the ocean, including beaches inKaipara Harbour, was not safe for swimming.
“Region-wide, please stay out of water this weekend. This is for your health and safety.”
Auckland Council’s healthy waters head of planning Nick Vegar said if the dry weather continued, some of the “do not swim” advisories - black pins on Safeswim map - could be removed.
“Should it rain again, however, some of those pins may be red [swimming not advised], rather than green.”
Some beaches, including most on Auckland’s west coast and places such as Goat Island and Tāwharanui on the east coast, were already running the usual water quality models and will be good to swim at providing the rain stays away.
“The important thing is for people to check the Safeswim website, and only swim at a beach if there’s a green pin.”
The SafeSwim website on the afternoon of February 5 showed only a handful of beaches were safe to swim at.
Mayor Wayne Brown told Aucklanders to respect the rāhui placed in the inner Waitematā Harbour by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei kaumātua after wastewater spills and public health restrictions.
“Aucklanders should follow this rāhui,” Brown said.
“I also want to acknowledge the emergency response support from local iwi and Māori community groups, which shows the importance of working in partnership.”
The annual Waitangi Day ki Ōkahu event has been cancelled after flooding at Ōrākei Marae while Manukau Urban Māori Authority made the tough decision to cancel their family event Waitangi ki Manukau as it could not be held at Hayman Park.
“It’s regrettable that, after three years of event cancellations due to Covid, thousands of Aucklanders are not able to enjoy these and other free community events this Waitangi Day,” Brown said.
“I want to acknowledge local iwi, community leaders and Māori community groups for making the call to put whanau safety first.”
Several Waitangi Day celebrations, including Waitangi at Waititi hosted by Te Whānau o Waipareira, will go ahead as planned across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Kelleher said the weather would have a “long tail” and recovery could take years.
“We will need to work on that recovery programme for many, many months if not years ahead.
“Some property owners will have to make some big decisions about their houses and what they do with them. Those remedial works may not be resolved in weeks or months.”
As of Sunday 1pm, 261 buildings in Auckland had been red-stickered, meaning they cannot be used or entered as the moderate or heavy damage poses a significant risk to health or life.
There were 1478 buildings that had been yellow-stickered.
Video footage from today shows long queues outside Waitakere Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station in Henderson as Aucklanders dispose of storm waste.
Residents in Titirangi are still being asked to reduce their water use.
Meanwhile, Watercare said Swanson residents have water again after experiencing supply issues since last Thursday night because of a slip on Scenic Drive in Titirangi, which broke two watermains.
Up to 250 properties in Swanson went without water. Watercare deployed tankers to the area to supply emergency water while repairs were carried out.
Roads and public transport: Plans to open Tamaki Dr in next 24 hours
Several more roads in Auckland had reopened over the past couple days and public transport was largely back to normal, Keheller said. She believed around 25 roads remained closed.
Authorities were hoping Tamaki Drive could open with single-lane access within the next 24 hours.
For those travelling north, State Highway 1 to the Brynderwyns is open one-way. This will be reversed tomorrow to one-way southbound, Keheller said.
About 450 road maintenance crew members are working on the region’s roads, Auckland Transport said.
In the past 24 hours, they have reopened Ngapipi, Kemp and Shore Rds.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said a “huge thanks to the Mayor and AT for all their efforts in getting Shore Road to reopen in time for schools starting back this week”.
Meanwhile, council welfare teams were out on the streets meeting affected people. More than 200 staff, who would be easily identifiable, were expected to be door-knocking to assess the damage left by last week’s torrential rain.
Civil Defence Centres remain open in Randwick Park and in Henderson. The Albany centre closed last night because of low need.
Community support hubs are open at:
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre, 66R Mascot Ave, Māngere (24 hours)
New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Ave, New Lynn (9am-5pm)
Birkenhead Leisure Centre, 46 Mahara Ave, Birkenhead (9am-5pm)
Keheller said immediate financial support was available to eligible people affected by the flooding. Applicants did not need to be receiving a benefit and, in most cases, it did not matter how much they earned or what assets they owned.
Non-residents might be eligible for the payment, as well, she said.
The money could be used for food, bedding, costs if you’ve had to leave your home because of the flooding or if you have evacuees staying in your place, such as a private home or marae.
People wishing to discuss what they might be entitled to can call 0800 400 100.
Kelleher said there had been 1700 visits to Auckland’s 15 transfer stations as the region cleaned up from the devastating weather.
So far, 620 tonnes of waste had been dropped off, Kelleher said.
Anyone who could not remove the waste from the property themselves and needed help could call 0800 22 22 00, Kelleher said.
A large slip on the cliff face under the Ocean Breeze Hotel on Bayswater Ave Bayswater as heavy rain hits Auckland causing widespread flooding
New Zealand Herald photograph by Brett Phibbs 01 February 2023
Acknowledging the flooding would have had a big impact on people, Kelleher said anyone experiencing anxiety or issues with their wellbeing could free-text 1737 to be connected with a counsellor.
Many people wanted to volunteer and help with the flood recovery in Auckland and the aim was to match the volunteers’ skills with the jobs that needed to be done.
