West becomes water world
Floods flow through homes, jet skis used to rescue trapped motorists after record rainfall in worst-hit areas
We have assisted some people to leave. Police inspector Mark Fergus
The damage done to West Auckland homes is still being assessed after Monday’s deluge forced houses to be evacuated and trapped motorists had to be rescued.
Kumeu¯, Huapai, Ra¯nui, Piha and Henderson Valley were among the worst hit areas in what was the most rain to hit Auckland in a single weather event since 2017, with 90 millimetres falling within an hour at its peak.
Kumeu¯ registered its second wettest day since records began in 1943, with 201mm falling in 14 hours overnight Monday, Niwa said.
At least 50 homes were evacuated and many people and animals had to be rescued as floodwaters entered houses and covered paddocks and roads.
Firefighters used jet skis to reach trapped motorists. Fire and Emergency NZ staff were inundated with calls, receiving more than 150 between 9.30pm on Monday and 4am yesterday. Most of the calls related to flooded homes and people stuck in vehicles. By 10am, staff had responded to about 370 incidents.
Two lifeguard crews also provided support, rescuing 11 people and assisting more than 50. The lifeguards, from Muriwai and Mairangi Bay, helped save two men from Huapai — one of whom who had been trapped in a shed and standing in waist-deep water for more than eight hours.
However, the downpour topped up one of the city's drinking water dams to the point it was overflowing.
“Upper Huia Dam was just 45 per cent full at 9pm [Monday], and by 6am it was spilling,” Watercare chief executive Jon Lamonte said of the reservoir in the Waita¯kere Ranges. “We’ve had more than a month’s rain in 12 hours in our higher Waita¯kere catchments.”
The news wasn’t so good for some of the area’s roads. Sections of some roads will be closed for a few days due to slips, including Te Henga Rd in Waita¯kere, Mountain Rd in Henderson Valley and Lone Kauri Rd in Karekare. A section of State Highway 16 near Bradly Rd was closed, and motorists were told to expect delays.
Other roads under assessment were Taupaki Rd at the bridge, Pooks Rd/Candia Rd intersection, Bethells Rd at Te Aute Ridge Rd, Wintour Rd in Waimauku, Whatipu Rd in Huia and Huia Rd near Huia Dam Rd.
Several areas temporarily lost power in the deluge. A Vector spokesman said he expected staff last night would restore power for 400 customers in Bethells Beach and Piha. He said repairs had been delayed by landslips and downed trees.
Auckland Emergency Management deputy controller Rachel Kelleher said her staff were still counting how many people had been affected by the flooding.
There were two facilities open for those impacted to seek shelter — the main council building at 6 Henderson Valley Rd and the Kumeu¯ Community Centre at 35 Access Rd.
Kelleher said navigating lockdown restrictions was complex, but emphasised safety was paramount.
“We do ask that if you do need to burst your bubble, please remember to wear a face covering and try to maintain physical distancing as much as possible and keep a record of who you have been in contact with.”
Fortunately, MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said West Aucklanders should get a reprieve from rain for the rest of the week as it moved towards Northland.
Apart from the odd shower, there was little rain expected for much of the Auckland region before next week.
“In terms of heavy rain, that has all been and gone,” he said.
A heavy rain warning is in place for the Northland region until midnight today.
With many properties damaged, police ramped up patrols and would continue to do so in the coming days.
Waitemata¯ Police inspector Mark Fergus said officers were working with Auckland emergency management staff to aid those affected.
“We have assisted some people to leave their properties and want to reassure those people and the wider community that we will maintaining highly visible patrols throughout the night and coming days.”
Anyone feeling unsafe or believing their property is in danger should call 111. Emergency management staff can be contacted on 0800 222 200.
An Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) spokeswoman said members had received calls from affected customers soon after the rain began.
She couldn’t say how many calls had been received or how many customers were affected as those details had not yet been established.
ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton encouraged people to contact their insurer if required. Despite lockdown, Grafton said insurers would be able to satisfy alert level 4 restrictions with the help of emergency response staff.
People whose homes were uninhabitable should consult their insurer to find if they were eligible for a temporary accommodation benefit.