The Central Hawke’s Bay community banded together to clean up after torrential rain flooded businesses in Ruataniwha St, Waipukurau. Photo / Will Foley
The Central Hawke’s Bay community banded together to clean up after torrential rain flooded businesses in Ruataniwha St, Waipukurau. Photo / Will Foley
MetService is warning of a risk of thunderstorms this afternoon in Central Hawke’s Bay, less than 24 hours after torrential rain flooded businesses in the main street of Waipukurau.
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley said the isolated downpour just before 5pm on Monday was “uncanny”.
“I’d notlong been home from council. It got quite dark, and there were a few spots of rain, but I was oblivious to what was happening in town,” he said.
“Then the police phoned me to say Ruataniwha St was flooding.
“It takes me five to 10 minutes to get to town and by then police had closed the road and the water was starting to subside.
“It was uncanny.”
He estimated that at least 20 businesses were affected by flooding.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said there was another risk of afternoon and evening thunderstorms for Central Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday, as showers formed inland and moved towards the coast.
“Tomorrow [Wednesday], CHB can expect fine weather for most of the day.
“Some showers could form near the ranges, but the winds are not directing them out towards the coast like they have been today and yesterday.”
The flooding was quick to drain away. Photo / CHB Council
Pawley said the hour before yesterday’s downpour, 6.9mm of rain fell, then 11.2mm followed in the next hour, “which is decent heavy rain”.
Foley said the council would be looking at why the infrastructure around Waipukurau’s main shopping area struggled to cope.
“It was such an intense event, I’m not sure if any infrastructure would have coped, but we will be looking at the drainage in that part of town.
“It’s certainly not what businesses need. Things aren’t great economy-wise as it is. This just adds to it.”
But he said it was cool to see how the community came together.
“The police responded quickly by closing the road, and council staff, contractors and members of the community all got on the end of a broom to help push water out of the shops.
“Next time I’ll take my own broom.”
Some businesses remain closed on Tuesday, including Cranford Hospice Opshop.
