Dozens of Wairoa residents have been forced to evacuate as officials feared the town’s storm-swollen river could cause further flooding.
The northern Hawke’s Bay town has been under a State of Local Emergency since 6.36am, with rising water prompting the evacuation of 115 people, including 90 residents of Kopu Rd and McLean St, to Wairoa’s Memorial Hall.
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said power had been cut off in town due to water levels near local substations, while sandbags had been put in place to protect main street businesses.
A helicopter was on standby to check on hard-to-reach properties and people. Iwi and response teams were also on standby at locations throughout the district, he said.
Fire and Emergency rescued two people who were trapped in a car surrounded by knee-deep flood water in Wairoa around 5.23am.
Little said the rainfall – as much as 200mm had fallen within 24 hours in some parts of the East Coast – had been greater than first forecast.
“High tide was at 8.45am. The Wairoa River mouth remains a challenge with large swells limiting the river water from getting out.”
He said there would be a full investigation into why the river bar had failed - and that locals were dealing with “rain anxiety”.
Little told Newstalk ZB's Kerre Woodham at about 10.40am that the town had hit high tide and was now coming down the other side.
“The reports are we have dropped at least 30cm and it will go down and it will keep going down.”
Little said the biggest issue had been the bar and the levels of high swells.
Asked whether more evacuations were planned, Little said there were already 115 in the memorial hall and there would be others who will have self-evacuated.
"They are still out there checking everybody. If anybody is anxious from out of town, I can rest assured everyone is being looked after."
Local residents were being encouraged to stay home, and asked not to drive around flooded areas, as vehicles were causing waves that were pushing into houses.
“Severe weather is also impacting council water infrastructure and people are asked to please stay away from any flood water and to treat it as if it is contaminated.”
Little urged people to “stay vigilant and watchful” and evacuate if they needed to and could do so safely.
“Please stay calm, we are doing everything we can to protect our people and have involved as many services as possible to help.”
