Auckland Anniversary storm event

Updated: 02/02/2023 3.35pm

Heavy rain has caused a significant amount of damage especially in the north of our district. With more rain forecast we need everyone to be prepared and stay home if possible. 

Here’s some information you need to know.  

Road closures 

Several roads in our district are closed or down to one lane due to slips and fallen trees. Please drive carefully as more damage may happen while the rain continues to fall. 

If you notice any damage to roads, please call us on 0800 492 452. 

View the latest road closures. 

Rising river levels

River levels are high and may continue to rise over the next few days. Civil defence is monitoring river levels in association with Waikato Regional Council. 

All regional flood and drainage infrastructure continues to operate as it should. 

Need help? 

There are several agencies you can contact that can provide assistance during this time.  

• If someone's life is at risk, phone 111 immediately.

• If you and your family are affected by the recent flooding, you may be eligible for a Civil Defence Payment if:

  • you had to leave your home (e.g. you've been evacuated)
  • you were away from your home at the time of the emergency and can't return
  • you need help with food, bedding or clothing
  • you can't go to work
  • you live in one of the following areas in the Waikato District - Port Waikato, Onewhero, Pokeno, Glen Murray, Tuakau, Meremere, Te Kauwhata, Miranda, Te Akau, Naike, Pukekawa, Ruapuke and areas of Raglan.

  To apply for the payment, call the MSD Flood line on 0800 400 100 between 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 1pm on Sunday. 

  To find out more about Civil Defence payments, please visit the MSD website.

• Here To Help U is a service that is always available to assist our communities, with access to food and wellbeing support. If you need urgent help with food visit their website https://heretohelpu.nz/
  
  
• For animal welfare assistance, phone MPI on 04 894 0132.
  
  
• Our rural sector - if you need support or confidential advice, contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 or visit www.rural-support.org.nz. They have some great information about dealing with floods at https://www.rural-support.org.nz/Adverse-Events/Flood.
   
  
• The Community Hub, located at the Pukekohe Netball Courts, will be open from 5pm tonight, Tuesday 31 January, until 10am tomorrow, Wednesday 1 February. The hub offers a safe location for those in need for the night, with trained volunteers to help and useful information on where you may be able to find support.
  
  
• There is welfare assistance available for the community in the Port Waikato and Onewhero areas tonight (Tuesday 31 January) if it is needed. Port people can go to Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Puaha o Waikato on Stack Road (up the driveway to the right of the marae). If you need assistance in the Onewhero area contact Rosemarie Costar at rosemariecostar@slingshot.co.nz or 09 232 8517.
  
  
• To report the following issues, contact Waikato District Council on 0800 492 452.

1. Slips on public land
2. Slips and damage on roads
3. Slips that are affecting your house
4. Flooding
5. Damage to the drainage network

• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
  
  
• For urgent assistance with anything else, contact Waikato District Emergency Management on 0800 492 452 and press 1 for our severe weather response team.

Raglan wastewater overflow 

To minimise the risk of untreated wastewater entering Raglan Harbour, there will be a controlled release of treated wastewater this evening during the incoming tide. 

The large amount of rain recently, and stormwater run-off, means the level of untreated wastewater in our treatment plant ponds is high.  

Without this treated wastewater release, more rain could cause the ponds to overflow into the nearby environment. 

So, as a precaution given the predicted severe weather over the next few days, please do not swim or collect shellfish in the harbour until Friday, 3 February.