Coromandel flooding: The big wet
All around the Coromandel, slips closed roads or reduced them to a single lane, farm animals were moved to higher ground and some motorists were stranded by the floodwaters at Prescotts Garage at Hikuai. Pauanui was cut off for hours and, everywhere else, residents and holidaymakers were fed up with watching videos or TV and being stuck indoors. The moment there was a gap in the rain, people poured into town in their droves to enjoy the cafes and retail therapy. According to weatherman Russel Blake, a total of 96mm of rain fell over Saturday and Sunday and a further 24.5mm on Monday. For the eight days from Monday September 19 to Monday September 26, he recorded a total 251.4mm. Coastal News photos: Peter West and Lesley Staniland
Image 1 of 7: SODDEN: The view from above Titoki Golf Course shows how close floodwaters came to the residential area in Whangamata south.
