Rotorua floods: Lakes Council moves into recovery mode

Rotorua Daily Post

8 May, 2018 03:06 AM3 mins to read

Deluge on April 29 brought surface and property flooding, sewage backflow and road slips across the district. Photo / File

Multiple agencies and organisations have been involved in the Rotorua Civil Defence emergency response, which is transitioning to recovery mode.

A total of 123.6mm rain fell in the district on April 29, resulting in surface and property flooding, sewage backflow and road slips across the district.

The event significantly impacted a large number of residents in Ngongotahā who had to be evacuated after the Ngongotahā Stream burst its banks.

Rotorua Lakes Council's Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre was supported by various groups including community organisations, regional groups and agencies outside of Rotorua.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said she wanted to thank everyone who was involved in responding to the event and who would be working towards helping whānau to get back on their feet.

"At the core of our whakaaro (thoughts) has been the welfare of our people. He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people)," she said.

"We are sincerely grateful to everyone including our residents who've helped each other and the various agencies that are helping us through."

To support the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Chadwick had been visiting some of the communities that had been identified as affected such as Rerewhakaaitu, Reporoa and Paradise Valley.

This information had been provided to the (EOC intelligence and welfare team) to help colour the bigger picture of the situation.

"Various groups have provided support in responding to the situation and will provide manaakitanga (support) moving into the recovery phase.

"There are so many individuals and groups to say thank you too. Including groups like the Ngongotahā, Ōkareka and Tarawera Volunteer Fire Brigades."

Rotorua Lakes Council's Civil Defence team had started making a list of the remarkable individuals and groups which had provided support to Rotorua residents.

Moving forward

Despite the immediate threat being over, the council said its primary focus was the welfare of people and would be moving from the emergency response phase to recovery.

What does this mean?

• This will be a long, ongoing process of support.

• Fewer community and media updates.

• Given the council has identified most of the affected communities, it aims to personalise its communication output to serve the affected communities which include Ngongotahā, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu and Paradise Valley and parts of Rotorua city.

Please remember

• If you have been affected by the severe weather on April 29, please contact the council free on 0800 020 001.

• If you know someone who hasn't contacted the council and has been affected please phone on 0800 020 001.

• The council wants to ensure it knows of everyone who needs help, to find out what their issues are, and how it can support them through the multiple agencies it is working with.