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.
“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.
