28 January 2023
Auckland Emergency Management Duty Controller Andrew Clark says Saturday morning and daylight reveals the first true understanding of the impact of yesterday’s storm.
“Auckland was clobbered on Friday – Auckland’s wettest day on record – and today we start the clean-up.
“We won’t start to get a good idea of numbers affected until later today and, even then, this will take time, with information still coming in and many assessments to complete,” says Andrew.
“We understand Aucklanders will be anxious to return to their homes to survey the damage, but we urge them to do so with caution.
“Please do not drive through floodwaters and remember hazards and debris could lurk beneath the surface, and floodwaters may be contaminated.
“If your property has been damaged, please take pictures for your insurance company and contact them as soon as you can,” he says.
Civil Defence Centres are open in Kelston, Albany and Randwick Park, offering respite and support and community-led centres have opened up across the region and are being promoted locally.
Civil Defence Centres
- West: St. Leonards Road School, 15 Saint Leonards Road, Kelston
- North: Massey University Albany Campus, Sir Neil Walters Lecture Theatre, Massey University East Precinct, Albany Expressway SH17
- South: Mana Tukutuku, 32 Riverton Drive, Randwick Park
Bring with you any essential items you may need, e.g. medication, warm clothing, and baby items.
If you need help
- To report flooding, damage to drains, or stormwater issues, please log you issue online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem.
- If your life is at risk, phone 111.
- If you need urgent accommodation assistance, phone us on 0800 22 22 00.
- For welfare assistance you can phone the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 400 100.
Water supply and wastewater network
Watercare’s water treatment plants are operating and your water is safe to drink.
Residents living in Titirangi, Woodlands Park, Oratia, Greenbay, Waima and elevated sections of Scenic Drive are likely to have no water or low water pressure for at least the next 48 hours.
A 30-metre-long section of water pipe that ran along Scenic Drive in Titirangi was washed away with the road due to a landslide. It will be challenging to repair due to the extent of the damage and access to the site.
Watercare is sending out water tankers to the area. Customers will be able to fill up their water bottles from the tankers.
Residents on the North Shore are asked to reduce their water use. Please keep your showers short and do not use your washing machines. This is to reduce the volume of wastewater leaving your properties.
A wastewater pump station on Wairau Road that serves several suburbs on the North Shore has been flooded. This means the pump station is overflowing into a nearby waterway.
The wastewater networks and treatment plants have been overwhelmed by stormwater, causing numerous overflows across Auckland.
Watercare is prioritising overflows that are damaging private property. Most of the clean-up activity will need to occur when the rain stops, as this is when the overflows will stop flowing.
For more information, visit Watercare’s dedicated information page.
Cleaning up after a flood
It is important to clean and dry your house and everything in it. Floodwater may contain sewage and other hazardous materials which can contaminate your home.
- If your gas meter has been affected by water or debris, contact your gas supplier.
- Always work safely when cleaning up after a flood by wearing protective clothing and washing hands thoroughly after clean-up and before handling food.
- Keep children and animals away from previously flooded areas until they have been cleaned and made safe.
- Take photos and videos of the damage and anything that needs to be thrown away before starting the clean-up, for insurance purposes.
- Clean up, drain, and dry inside as quickly as possible. Take out everything that is wet and that can be moved – floor coverings, furniture, bedding, clothing, etc., and put them outside to dry when the weather is fine.
- Throw away all food and drinking water that has come in contact with floodwater, including things stored in containers.
- Do not eat garden produce if the soil has been flooded. Clean up and remove debris and sprinkle gardens with lime.
Keep up to date with the latest travel advice by following Auckland Transport on Twitter @AT_TravelAlerts and by checking the Waka Kotahi website.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Auckland Emergency Management Public Information Team
021 837 176