Rotorua has come through ex‑tropical cyclone Vaianu relatively unscathed, despite heavy rain and the risk of stream flooding, with the council reporting only limited storm-related issues.
Rotorua Lakes Council received “a handful” of calls, mainly about tree falls, some flooding in Mamaku and one minor wastewater network overflow in Hinemoa St.
“Our biggest risk was the potential flooding of Ngongotahā Stream later in the day so we kept a very close eye on that, stayed in contact with locals there and encouraged residents living along the stream to remain on high alert and consider staying elsewhere as a precaution,” local Civil Defence controller Stavros Michael said.
“Ultimately, the stream did not breach and we thank our contacts in Ngongotahā for their engagement with us to help keep locals informed and reassured.”
About 5pm on Sunday, Ngongotahā resident Jacky James said the stream had risen to about 3m, with the capacity to reach around 5m.
She said they were “all just watching it closely”.
James said locals were staying in close contact, keeping up with updates and monitoring the stream alongside Civil Defence.
“We’ve got a really awesome community out here who are keeping an eye out for each other and keeping an eye on the stream.”
Council staff would today be monitoring the stream and checking for areas that need clearing as well as clearing remaining debris around the city, checking trees that may pose risks and inspecting the water infrastructure and local roading network.
The Whakarewarewa Forest is now open as well as the other council facilities that closed yesterday and anyone travelling today or using open spaces, should remain alert to potential issues leftover from the storm and heavy rainfall, such as tree falls, debris and slips.
Michael said one family contacted the council’s Emergency Operations Centre on Sunday and were going to come to the evacuation centre at the Energy Events Centre but did not come and the safe city guardians opened the Community Safety Hub to a handful of homeless people “for a hot cuppa”.
Kerbside waste collections will not take place along State Highway 30 today due to the road closure. This includes Rotoiti, Rotoehu, Rotomā.
State Highway 30, from SH33/SH30 Te Ngae Junction and the intersection of SH30/SH34, was closed because of flooding and slips, but was scheduled to reopen around midday.
SH33 between Rotorua and Paengaroa has reopened.
Meanwhile, another bout of heavy rain is being forecast for parts of the central North Island today.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch, with heavy rain and the risk of thunderstorms forecast for today.
The watch applies to northern Taranaki, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupō, west of the lake, as an active front moves across the North Island, bringing unsettled conditions to many regions.
It is in place from 9am to 8pm today.
MetService said periods of heavy rain are likely, with thunderstorms also possible.
Rainfall totals may approach warning thresholds in some localised areas, and there is a moderate chance the watch could be upgraded to a heavy rain warning.