While the threat of further flooding still remains, the Wairoa River levels are subsiding.

The key message remains for people to stay safe and remain watchful and alert.

High tide was earlier this morning with the river levels slowly reducing since then. However, more rain is forecast and there is still additional rain in the back country flowing into the Wairoa River.

Wairoa declared a State of Local Emergency this morning at 6.36am following significant rainfall which had the potential to place lives and properties at risk.

Around 130 people have been evacuated from the Kopu Road and McLean Street areas to the War Memorial Hall evacuation centre. People are also staying with whānau and additional facilities are on standby throughout the district.

There are some additional properties in town that are further away from the river which were also backing up with surface water.

Additional iwi and response teams are on standby at locations throughout the district.

In town, main street businesses were sandbagged but fortunately the river did not reach these shops. Many businesses were closed due to the power outage and schools are also shut.

People are encouraged to stay home if they are able to. Meanwhile SH2 north and south and SH38 are closed due to flooding. Local roads closures will be updated on the Wairoa District Council website.

Severe weather is also impacting Councils water infrastructure and people are asked to please stay away from any flood water and to treat it as if it is contaminated and please don’t rush to flush.

People are encouraged to stay home if they are able to. This will take pressure off our roads. People are also asked not to drive around flooded areas as vehicles are causing waves which is pushing water into houses.

Message from the Mayor

This latest weather event is exactly what we didn’t need for Wairoa says Mayor Craig Little.

“Our district is in a dark time, and our hearts particularly go out to the families of the three missing fisherman whose bodies were found at Mahia Beach this morning.

“We have been plagued with weather events and this one has been quite unusual where river levels and sea swells have seen flooding occur on the southern side of town along Kopu Road and McLean Street, and quite different to the flooding that we saw predominantly on the northern side of town in Cyclone Gabrielle.

“This event is devastating for our isolated community which has still not recovered from Cyclone Gabrielle. We are once again cut off by road and while we are working with our partners and ensuring we have the necessary resources we are feeling alone.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting us. Once again Wairoa is cut off by road and we are reliant on our local Civil Defence team which comprises of mostly Wairoa District Council staff, local organisations and volunteers. Thank you again to everyone who is supporting our community. We are lucky to have such a fantastic community, but we are unlucky to have to experience the impact of yet another weather event.”

26 June 2024

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