More than 170 households were evacuated in the wake of the November 9 flooding event which hit Napier and caused widespread damage. Photo / NZME
More than 170 households were evacuated in the wake of the November 9 flooding event which hit Napier and caused widespread damage. Photo / NZME
One year on from the Napier floods, Hawke's Bay Today reporter Gianina Schwanecke takes a look back at the damage caused and what comes next for some of those impacted by the floodwaters.
Two families remain in temporary accommodation after their homes became uninhabitable by flood-related damage when Napier washit by torrential rainfall this time last year.
Over the course of two days, more than 250mm of rain fell on parts of the city, with 210mm in just six hours on the afternoon of November 9.
It led to the evacuation of more than 170 households, with about 153 flood-affected properties across the city deemed uninhabitable either from flood damage or landslips.
More than $42 million worth of insured losses were filed for residential properties and contents, $33m in commercial and $12.2m for vehicles.
The November flood event caused more than $42 million worth of residential property and contents losses due to flood damage and slips like this one on Spencer Rd, Napier Hill. Photo / NZME
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment's Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) was activated on November 16, helping families find makeshift accommodation while their homes underwent necessary repairs.
Of the 114 households assisted by TAS, the majority came from Marewa with 32 households followed by Napier South with 27, 19 in Pirimai, nine in Hospital Hill and five from Bluff Hill.
Six came from Maraenui, four from Onekawa, three from Taradale and a further two households each from Ahuriri, Meeanee and Tamatea.
Dozens of these households were housed in the region's already in-demand motels and hotels, including Kennedy Park Resort in Napier - sparking outrage from some guests who had their bookings cancelled.
Ten portable cabins were also brought in by TAS to help house locals displaced by the floods.
Two of the 114 households that registered with The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment's Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) have yet to return home . Photo / NZME
One of the two remaining households in TAS accommodation is being housed in one such cabin on their own property while another is at the Shoreline Motel in Napier South.
A spokesperson for TAS said it was expected they would move out or return home by the end of this month.
Out of the floodwaters a 'silver lining'
For some of those impacted by the floods, it provided an opportunity for refurbishment and modernisation that might not otherwise have happened.
The Rodney Green Centennial Event Centre near Mclean Park in Napier South has been closed since the flood, meaning the usual 2,000 people, mostly school students, who use the centre each week have been unable to do so.
Floodwaters reached 10 centimetres above the floor level and it took several weeks for the building to fully dry out, causing damage to floor surfaces, doors and wall linings which swelled and warped.
The sprung sports floor was significantly damaged with the floorboards cupping, meaning it could no longer be safely used for sport.
Drew Brown of Napier City Council, where repairs are still underway to replace the flood-damaged sports floor at the Rodney Green Centennial Event Centre. Photo / Paul Taylor
A spokesperson for Napier City Council, which owns the centre, said repair works still to be completed included floor replacement in the entry foyer, corridors, toilets, kitchen and dining areas, as well as replacing all doors, wall linings, including those on the mezzanine floor, and most significantly the sports floor replacement.
This work is currently underway, with the demolition and removal of the damaged sports floor now completed and works scheduled to be completed by the end of February next year.
However, Covid-related border restrictions have prevented specialist floor installers in Auckland from travelling down.
It's estimated that the repair works cost in the region of $900,000, with insurance to fully reimburse NCC.
Council had recovered as much of the floor as possible, about four container loads worth, and hoped to be able to donate it to various charities and school technology programmes.
Flood damage closed Scenic Hotel Te Pania for four months, but general manager Katie Silcock says repairs, including to the restaurant, allowed them to make it "fit for purpose". Photo / Paul Taylor
While Katie Silcock, general manager of Scenic Hotel Te Pania on Marine Pde, wasn't there on the day of the floods she knows it happened quickly, with water flooding into the ground-floor level of the building.
The restaurant, lobby, staff rooms and other areas were badly damaged, prompting the hotel to close for four months - at the height of its busiest season - to undergo repairs.
However, it enabled them to refresh the space and make it "fit for purpose", including a rebrand of the restaurant as The Curve, which Silcock said was a "flow-on" from the flood.
Napier Pottery Club president Peter Hosegood said repairs to the flood damage, gave them the nudged need to "modernise". Photo / NZME
Ashridge Play Centre in Napier South was also closed for six months, though president Helena Robinson said it was to their benefit.
"We were out of our premises for months but returned to new flooring, vinyl and carpet. We have purchased a variety of new appliances, resources and equipment."
The flood also provided a "silver lining" for the Napier Pottery Club in Marewa, which underwent significant repairs after water rose about a half metre, covering equipment and badly damaging two kilns.
President Peter Hosegood said it, "[gave] them the nudge needed to modernise for the future."
