Waipā District Council has asked residents of Corcoran Rd, Te Pahu, who were evacuated after the weekend’s severe weather, not to return home yet. Photo / Waipā District Council
Waipā District Council has asked residents of Corcoran Rd, Te Pahu, who were evacuated after the weekend’s severe weather, not to return home yet. Photo / Waipā District Council
Waipā and Ōtorohanga districts have extended their states of emergency for a further seven days.
The decision follows response efforts by both councils, emergency services, iwi and partner agencies after the recent severe weather events.
Thunderstorms and downpours drenched parts of the North Island last weekend, causing heavy surface floodingand slips.
Several key roads were closed well into this week, cutting off some communities, and infrastructure remains severely affected.
The states of emergency in Waipā and Ōtorohanga now remain in place until February 28.
Ōtorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow said conditions in parts of his district also remained challenging, with ongoing impacts to roads, farms and access routes.
“The extension is not a reason to panic. It gives the right legal settings to continue managing the situations in the best way possible.
“Our district has been significantly affected, and the state of emergency gives us the ability to keep supporting communities, co-ordinate response efforts and respond quickly as conditions continue to change.”
Ōtorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow (left) and Waipā Mayor Mike Pettit sign their districts' states of emergency, accompanied by Ōtorohanga mayoral dog Zeb.
Iwi have suspended commemorations of the Battle at Rangiaowhia this weekend to allow the community to focus on recovery efforts.
The Western Waikato Emergency Operating Centre paused this morning to acknowledge the commemorations.
Across both districts, response efforts remain focused on restoring road access where communities have been isolated by bridge and culvert damage, supporting farms affected by road closures, and addressing critical infrastructure and water supply issues, including those in Pirongia.
“There are still people who cannot return to their homes, and the upcoming switchover of the Pirongia water supply will be a critical point in time,” Pettit said.
Torrential rain has devastated the Ōtorohanga district, closing roads, washing out bridges, and triggering slips and floodwaters last weekend. Photo / Mike Scott
“There are council staff, contractors and roading crews working around the clock across both districts, and we are constantly reviewing the situation.
“We thank communities for their patience and understanding as we work through these challenges together.”
Both councils set up disaster relief funds to provide financial assistance to individuals, families, small businesses, community organisations and marae experiencing hardship.
The funds can be used to buy basic household and essential personal items, replace essential uninsured or underinsured items, clear debris from properties and assist with insurance excess payments.
Applications can be made through the councils.
The fund is also welcoming donations.
People can donate to the Ōtorohanga fund using account number 02-0392-0018241-003.
The account for the Waipā fund is 12-3122-0084701-20.
Both councils hold community drop-in sessions that bring together a range of social service agencies to help connect individuals and families with practical support and advice.
One session will be held today, until 7pm, at Pirongia Community Centre, 574 Crozier St.
Another session will be held tomorrow, Saturday, February 21, from 10am to 3pm, at Ōtorohanga Truck and Ute Show, Island Reserve.
The website heretohelpu.nz is co-ordinating welfare requests for individuals and families.
People can also ring 0800 568 273 and leave a call-back request.
The storm’s death toll stands at one after the vehicle of Brent Knowles, described by his family as a loving father, became submerged in floodwaters while he was travelling on State Highway 39 last Friday.
The deluge came weeks after deadly storms killed nine and left a trail of destruction.
