Update 4pm, Thu 1 July

Papatoetoe tornado response wraps up and moves into recovery phase

As the Papatoetoe tornado response officially wraps up, Auckland Emergency Management Group Controller Kate Crawford says help and support continues to be there for those that need it.

“As of 5pm today (1 July) the Papatoetoe tornado response will officially transition into recovery but that doesn’t mean those that were affected by the event will be left without support.

“We know that this has been a difficult couple of weeks for many, and we want to reassure people that we will do everything we can to ensure that this is a seamless process for those who continue to need our help. We’re still working with the same agencies; the focus is just shifting to longer-term support.

“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Temporary Accommodation Service has already begun reaching out to those that have been displaced to assist with securing temporary accommodation; and the Mayoral Relief Fund and MSD grants remain in place for those that continue to need additional financial support.

“We understand that with lots to think about, this can be overwhelming so if you do need further advice, information or support, please visit us at the Papatoetoe Library or phone us on 0800 22 22 00.”

Transition to recovery: what it means

"The transition from response to recovery should be a seamless experience for our community.

“Response is characterised by fast-paced actions to deal with immediate needs following an emergency,” says Recovery Manager Jennifer Rose.

“Working together with emergency responders, government agencies and the community, most emergent needs have been met and it is now time to think about planning for recovery.

“The recovery team will continue to guide community support, alongside agencies like MSD and MBIE; facilitate restoration of local amenities, in collaboration with the community and support the repair and reinstatement of damaged housing.

Ms Rose says collaboration with the community on recovery planning is essential and Auckland Council’s teams will work closely with the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and community groups.

People needing help can contact Auckland Council and Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00.

Numbers at a glance (as of 1 July)

• There are 51 people from 15 groups that remain in temporary accommodation
• 10 homes have red placards, 67 have yellow placards
• 186 visits have been made to the Information Hub or Civil Defence Centre
• There have been 397 applications made to the MSD Civil Defence fund
• 32 applications have been submitted to the Mayoral Relief Fund

Where to get help and support

Temporary Accommodation Service

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) is available to assist you to find temporary accommodation if you have been displaced by the Papatoetoe tornado.

You can register your details via tas.mbie.govt.nz or phone 0508 754 163.

MSD support

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is continuing to assist those in the community who have been directly impacted by this event with items such as food, clothing and bedding. Support can be accessed by visiting MSD’s Papatoetoe office at 328 Great South Road, or phone 0800 559 009.

Mayoral Relief Fund

Applications to the Auckland Mayoral Relief Fund can be made online via the Auckland Council website: https://aucklandcouncil.smartygrants.com.au/AMRF or by calling 09 301 0101.

Papatoetoe Library staff will also be providing in-person application support to those who need it. Papatoetoe Library is located at 30 Wallace Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Where to turn for wellbeing help or support

If you need support or advice, or have feelings of anxiety, stress, prolonged fear, hopelessness or anger, or you just need to talk with someone, you can text or phone 1737 for free to speak to a trained counsellor.

People affected by the tornado in Papatoetoe who need help with accommodation, financial assistance and insurance advice can visit the Civil Defence Information Hub at Papatoetoe Library, 30 Wallace Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Update 2pm, Fri 25 June

Papatoetoe Tornado: The week in numbers

It has been almost a week since the tornado struck Papatoetoe causing significant damage and causing major disruption to residents.

As the response begins to wrap up and the transition to recovery ramps up, Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Mace Ward says it’s important that those in need continue to reach out if they need help.

“Over what has been a difficult week for many, it has been heartening to see so many people coming together in support of the Papatoetoe community and the recovery effort.

“To date, more than 100 people have been housed in emergency accommodation. Thankfully those numbers have started to decrease but we are continuing to assess people’s needs and support continues to be available.

“We are aware that there may be people or homes affected outside of the worst hit area and we urge anyone who was impacted and needs assistance to get in contact on 0800 22 22 00,” he says.

Mr Ward makes a further call out to Aucklanders, asking people who don’t live in the area to stay away and allow recovery efforts to be carried out.

“Emergency response agencies, building inspection teams, council contractors, insurance assessors and contractors starting repairs are all working with residents and property owners to get recovery efforts underway. It’s important that they have access to their streets and properties, and we urge people that don’t need to be in the area, to stay away,” he says.

There’s been a lot of activity since the tornado struck so we’ve pulled together some of the facts and figures from the past week.

Emergency accommodation and welfare support

• To date, 101 people have been housed in emergency accommodation
• As of 25 June, there are 90 people from 27 groups still being housed
• There have been nine applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund
• There have been over 200 requests for MSD Civil Defence emergency funding
• The MSD helpline has received almost 160 calls.
• There have been 102 visits to the Civil Defence Information Hub at the Allan Brewster Leisure Centre

Agency response

• 32 response team personnel worked over 222 hours
• 34 Red Cross volunteers and 15 additional volunteers have assisted with the response effort
• 205 calls were made to Fire and Emergency New Zealand via 111 in the first three hours following the tornado
• 16 Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances responded to the incident
• 31 tarps were given out to residents by the Auckland Emergency Management response team and have been used to secure properties

Buildings assessed

• 251 buildings have been assessed by Auckland Council’s Building Consents team.
• Upon initial inspection, 18 homes were given red placards meaning that re-entry is prohibited as the building has suffered significant structural compromise and is considered unsafe, or it is no longer habitable.
• Yellow placards were given to 60 homes. A yellow placard means there is restricted entry to part of the building, that there is enough damage for the council to have concerns about the building’s performance, but not enough to prevent entry entirely.
• These numbers will be updated next week, following further detailed assessment.

Green waste and storm debris

• 24 skips have been placed around the area to help with the clean-up efforts
• Ten truckloads of rubbish have been sent to landfill and two for recycling
• 36 waste management staff have worked more than 432 hours
• 45 arborists and support staff have worked 375 hours
• Approximately 68 mature trees have been pruned or removed
• 18 juvenile trees will be replanted in the streetscape
• 392 cubic metres of wood chip has been created from fallen trees or branches.

Where to go for help

People affected by the tornado in Papatoetoe who need help with accommodation, financial assistance and insurance advice can visit the Civil Defence Information Hub at Papatoetoe Library, 30 Wallace Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

If you cannot make it to the hub, please phone Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 for assistance.

Financial assistance

How to access the Mayoral Relief Fund: Applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund can be made online or by calling 09 301 0101. Papatoetoe Library staff will also be providing in-person application support to those who need it. Papatoetoe Library is located at 30 Wallace Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Ministry of Social Development financial support: Civil Defence payments are available for people who have been affected by the tornado. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have. Affected people can phone Work and Income on 0800 752 102 to make an application.

Update, 3.30pm, Wednesday 23 June

Building assessment update following Papatoetoe tornado damage

Auckland Council’s initial building assessment inspection of all properties that suffered damage resulting from the powerful tornado that ripped through Papatoetoe on Saturday 19 June is now complete.

As of Wednesday 23 June, the council’s building inspection team assessed a total of 251 properties as follows:

• 22 are deemed uninhabitable, identified with a red placard;
• 60 have restricted entry, identified with a yellow placard; and
• 169 are deemed safe to inhabit, identified with a white placard.

Auckland Council General Manager Building Consents, Ian McCormick says: “There will still be some further work required as more detailed information comes to light, and we may see the numbers change as we go into the next stage of detailed assessments.”

In the early stages of the response immediately after the tornado hit, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) completed a Rapid Building Assessment, identifying 222 affected properties, including 62 that were deemed uninhabitable.

Mr McCormick says: “We are now in the next phase of our response, which means getting into the finer details of building assessments with each impacted property and working with individual property owners.

“Our building inspectors are now in the process of identifying what remediation work needs to be done, whether building consents are required, or whether a property needs to be demolished.

“In some cases, a dangerous building notice will be issued, while in other cases the owner will be given a remediation notice, outlining what work needs to happen for the building to meet compliance.

Mr McCormick says: “The assessment of red, yellow and white placards for each property will remain fluid as buildings move between categories, for example appropriate remediation work will enable a yellow placarded site to achieve white placard status.”

On Monday 21 June, Auckland Council designated an area in the Papatoetoe region under the Building Act 2004 to support the response and recovery from the tornado on Saturday 19 June. Establishing a designation enables the council to continue the post-emergency building assessment process in a practical timeframe and assists the council’s compliance team and Police to manage any enforcement needs.

Meanwhile the clean-up effort continues, normal waste collection has resumed, and additional waste removal including scrap metal and inorganic collections are underway.

If you cannot make it to the hub, please phone Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 for assistance.

Financial assistance

How to access the Mayoral Relief Fund: Applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund can be made online or by calling 09 301 0101. Papatoetoe Library staff will also be providing in-person application support to those who need it. Papatoetoe Library is located at 30 Wallace Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Ministry of Social Development financial support: Civil Defence payments are available for people who have been affected by the tornado. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have. Affected people can phone Work and Income on 0800 752 102 to make an application.

Update, Wednesday 23 June

Free storm debris and green waste collection

Auckland Council will provide free disposal of vegetation (green waste) and storm debris from the Papatoetoe tornado. Residents across Papatoetoe that have tree or debris on their property by the tornado on Saturday 19 June can use this service.

All waste must be placed on the kerbside by Sunday 27 June. Collection begins on Monday 28 June. 

Residents must:

• Talk to their insurer and take photographs before removing any items from their property. You will need to document damage for your claim.
• Clear waste and debris from your own (private) property and move it to the kerb for collection.
• Ensure that the footpath is not blocked and items are stacked safely.
• Keep green waste and other debris completely separate.

Green waste

• Includes tree and garden debris.
• Branches must be cut so they are no longer than 160cm.
• No tree roots.
• All green waste must be completely separate from other storm debris and piled on the kerb or berm, not the footpath.

Storm debris waste

• Includes large items damaged by the tornado like, roofing and damaged timber.
• Glass must be safely contained and no hazardous materials.
• Normal household refuse and recycling should go in your usual collection bins. Normal collections have resumed.

Update 1.30pm, Tuesday 22 June

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Fleur Aldridge says response teams continue to assist the Papatoetoe community with the clean-up following Saturday’s powerful and highly localised tornado.

Ms Aldridge says: “Last night we had around 60 people staying in emergency accommodation.

“The Civil Defence Welfare Hub at Allan Brewster Leisure Centre has been busy and at this point we anticipate it will be open for the rest of the week to support the community, depending on people’s needs.

“Our teams have cleared six truckloads full of building debris from the area with some being diverted to scrap metal recycling,” says Ms Aldridge.

Council General Manager Building Consents, Ian McCormick says the Rapid Building Assessment is nearly finished, with building inspectors having assessed close to 260 affected properties.

“This work includes our inspection team conducting a building safety evaluation for each property where we follow a set of procedures set out by the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

“Our inspectors undertake a risk assessment, investigate any structural damage to the building and check whether rooves and walls are compromised.

“Through this assessment process, our inspectors issue either a red, yellow or white placard to each property, depending on the extent of the damage,” says Mr McCormick.

Building inspectors are still in the process of categorising all 260 properties, but so far 18 have been classified with a red placard, 51 with a yellow placard and 119 with a white one.

• A red placard means that re-entry to the building is prohibited because it suffered significant structural compromise and is unsafe due to safety concerns, or it is no longer habitable. A red placard means further investigation and remedial work is required before the property is safe to occupy.
• A yellow placard means there is restricted entry to part of the building, that there is enough damage for the council to have concerns about the building’s performance, but not enough to prevent entry entirely. For example, it might mean that part of the roof is missing but there is no risk of further collapse.
• A white placard means the property has minor damage, is inhabitable and that no council follow up is required.

Mr McCormick says: “Once all the building inspections have been completed, the next step in the process is for our compliance officers to visit each property.

“They will look at the site to understand the exact nature of the damage, whether building consents might be required and what emergency work can be done, then they will capture the information on the property record.

“Over the coming weeks our compliance officers will work through the list of impacted properties, while building owners work with their insurers, progress building consents or emergency works as necessary,” he says.

If you cannot make it to the hub, please phone Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 for assistance.

Important updates:

• The Otara welfare centre has closed and has been replaced with an info hub at Allan Brewster Leisure Centre, 7 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe between 9am and 7pm.
• Normal waste collections have resumed, however there are increased efforts in the affected streets.
• Check with your insurer before you dispose of damaged items and take photographs for your claims. Some insurers also cover food items.
• If your property has been without power and you need to dispose of spoiled food, please double bag it and put in your normal refuse collection bin (not your recycling bin).

Financial assistance

The Ministry of Social Development financial support: Civil Defence payments are available for people who have been affected by the tornado. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have.

Affected people can phone Work and Income on 0800 752 102 to make an application.

If you have urgent food needs as a result of being displaced by the tornado, you can look for providers on the Family Services Directory.

Food safety and illness prevention

Take care with food from your fridge and freezer to avoid food poisoning and manage spoilage issues. After more than two days without power, highly perishable foods may not be safe to eat.

• Throw out rotten or contaminated food quickly so it doesn’t spoil other food in the fridge.
• You can still eat food like raw vegetables, cheese and bread.
• Dispose of any food from the freezer which has thawed out and been at room temperature for longer than two hours.
• When the power comes back on, it is important not to refreeze food that has defrosted.
• If you are unsure, have a closer look and smell. If the colour has changed, it has a slimy texture or if it smells off, it probably is off.
• If you eat food that has gone off, you can risk infection from salmonella, campylobacter and a range of food poisoning bacteria.

Update 11.30am, Monday 21 June

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Parul Sood says response teams continue to assist the Papatoetoe community with clean-up today.

“Building inspection teams continue to visit homes affected by the tornado, waste collection is well underway and street clean up contractors continue their efforts,” she says.

“Response and inspection teams have visited almost all of the properties in the worst hit areas however, the nature of tornadoes has them hopping down a path, which can sometimes mean small areas of damage quite a distance away from the main site.

“If you have not been visited by emergency services or inspection teams and have damage to your property that needs reporting or you need assistance, please phone us on 0800 22 22 00,” says Ms Sood.

If you cannot make it to the hub, please phone Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 for assistance.

Important updates:

• The Ōtara welfare centre has closed and has been replaced with an info hub at Allan Brewster Leisure Centre, 7 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe between 9am and 7pm.
• Normal waste collections have resumed, however there are increased efforts in the affected streets.
• Check with your insurer before you dispose of damaged items and take photographs for your claims. Some insurers also cover food items.
• If your property has been without power and you need to dispose of spoiled food, please double bag it and put in your normal refuse collection bin (not your recycling bin).

Financial assistance

The Ministry of Social Development financial support: Civil Defence payments are available for people who have been affected by the tornado. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have.

Affected people can phone Work and Income on 0800 752 102 to make an application.

If you have urgent food needs as a result of being displaced by the tornado, you can look for providers on the Family Services Directory.

Food safety and illness prevention

Take care with food from your fridge and freezer to avoid food poisoning and manage spoilage issues. After more than two days without power, highly perishable foods may not be safe to eat.

• Throw out rotten or contaminated food quickly so it doesn’t spoil other food in the fridge.
• You can still eat food like raw vegetables, cheese and bread.
• Dispose of any food from the freezer which has thawed out and been at room temperature for longer than two hours.
• When the power comes back on, it is important not to refreeze food that has defrosted.
• If you are unsure, have a closer look and smell. If the colour has changed, it has a slimy texture or if it smells off, it probably is off.
• If you eat food that has gone off, you can risk infection from salmonella, campylobacter and a range of food poisoning bacteria.

Update 5.30pm, Sunday 20 June 

Auckland Council building inspectors have assessed more than 240 homes in the south Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe which was struck by a tornado on 19 June.

“Our team has inspected and assessed around 240 homes today – what was pleasing was that there were generally less homes that were considered unhabitable than first thought,” says Ian McCormick, Auckland Council’s General Manager Building Consents.

Minor damages ranged from smashed windows, lost roof tiles and some sections of properties damaged. In some cases, properties had been damaged by secondary structures or outdoor furniture hitting them, while in more severe cases roofs had been entirely blown off.

“Fortunately, we found there weren’t too many of those severe cases but what struck the team on the ground them the most was the strength of mother nature and the weather,” says Mr McCormick.

Mr McCormick says the building inspection team worked its way through the list of properties assessed by Urban Search and Rescue yesterday.

“It was heartening to find that most homes are still habitable. Many homeowners are already working with contractors or have made arrangements to fix their properties in the immediate future,” he says.

“There is still more assessment work to be done before we can provide a definitive tally of how many homes are uninhabitable.”

Otara Civil Defence Welfare Centre to close

Auckland Emergency Management’s Civil Defence Welfare Centre at Ōtara will close at 8pm on Sunday and will not reopen on Monday.

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Parul Sood said the Ōtara welfare centre responded to around a dozen requests for assistance, including providing emergency accommodation for eight families.

“The Ōtara welfare centre has provided great support for the last two days but is no longer needed,” says Ms Sood. “The hub in Papatoetoe is closer to the affected area and will provide ongoing support for as long as it is needed.”

People that can’t make it into the hub can phone Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 for assistance.

Waste and debris collection

Ms Sood says that normal waste collections will resume on Monday, however there are increased efforts in the affected streets.

“Our waste contractors have been out over the weekend dealing with debris and large items that could cause hazards or further damage.

“Teams will be in the area with large volume waste collection to assist with the clean-up,” she says.

Council contractors are also dealing with damaged street trees.

By the numbers (as at 5.30pm Sunday 20 June)

• Vector has advised that there are still about 80 houses without power
• 32 people are in emergency accommodation provided by Auckland Emergency Management
• 15 Red Cross volunteers are working alongside Auckland Emergency Management welfare staff
• 43 Auckland Council Building Control staff have been out on the ground carrying out assessments today
• 62 buildings were assessed by Urban Search and Rescue on Saturday as uninhabitable; this number will be refined by Auckland Council Building Control in the next few days
• 21 tarpaulins were fitted to damaged houses by Auckland Council contractors City Care on Saturday, with a further 50 tarps being made available. 

Financial support – Ministry of Social Development

The Ministry of Social Development has a range of financial support available to people affected by the tornado. 

Civil Defence payments are available for people who have been affected by the tornado. You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify. In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have.

This payment can help with:

• Emergency food, clothing and bedding if yours has been damaged or destroyed
• Accommodation costs if you have been evacuated and are staying in accommodation such as a motel, hotel or temporary rental accommodation
• Loss of income due to an inability to work caused by the tornado
• Payment if you have evacuees staying with you in places such as a private home, marae or community centres.

Affected people can call Work and Income to make an application from 8am on Monday 21 June on 0800 752 102.

If you have urgent food needs as a result of being displaced by the tornado, you can look for providers at familyservices.govt.nz/directory/

Insurance advice

The Insurance Council of New Zealand, which had staff at the information hub in Papatoetoe this afternoon, says to support a smooth claims purchase people should:

• Make their home safe and sanitary but don’t do non-essential repairs
• If safe to do so, try to protect your home from further damage
• Get essential services repaired and keep copies of invoices
• Take photos of any damage and note details of valuable items, and don’t dispose of anything until you’ve spoken to your insurer. It will help speed up assessments of your claims
• Take photos of perishable or unsanitary items before you dispose of them
• Do not do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property
• Those with homes that are uninhabitable due to damage from the tornado, may be eligible for a temporary accommodation benefit included in most home and contents policies. If you’re in this situation, ask your insurer what support they can offer you.

Update: 11.15am, Sunday 20 June 2021

Auckland Emergency Management, together with emergency response agencies and teams from Auckland Council, will today continue to support people affected by yesterday’s tornado in Papatoetoe and focus on clean-up efforts.

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Parul Sood says response needs overnight were light but teams will continue to provide welfare support today.

“Today’s focus is on continuing to assess damage in the area, coordinating a building inspection programme and dealing with waste and debris,” she says.

The Civil Defence Welfare Centre at Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre (Bairds Road entrance) has been open since 2pm on Saturday and remains available for people affected by the tornado who need help or assistance. So far, the centre has provided two families with temporary accommodation.

Clean-up efforts in the Papatoetoe area continue today with council contractors cleaning up trees and debris, and arranging further waste collection.

A team of Auckland Council building inspectors will shortly begin inspecting affected properties to understand the extent of the damage and ensure unsafe buildings are checked and secure.

The team will look at the most affected properties first, based on the Urban Search and Rescue assessments carried out yesterday.

Auckland Council GM Building Consents Ian McCormick says the team’s priority is safety.

“Our inspectors will be assessing buildings to give owners and residents an understanding of whether their buildings are safe to remain in and giving advice on next steps.”

Fire and Emergency will be maintaining a presence around the affected areas in Papatoetoe today to help anyone that needs it. It was relatively quiet for firefighters overnight. Urban Search and Rescue teams will continue to conduct Rapid Disaster Assessments to assess the damage to property throughout the day. If anyone needs help or is in danger, please call 111.

Update: 8pm, Saturday 19 June

Auckland Emergency Management is supporting the south Auckland communities today following this morning’s weather event. We estimate more than 1200 homes are affected in Papatoetoe and the surrounding area, with the majority without power and around 60 uninhabitable.

Auckland Emergency Management Controller Parul Sood says emergency services have spent the day visiting as many properties as possible.

“Those whose homes have been significantly affected appear to be staying with friends and whanau and a small number have been in touch through the Civil Defence Welfare Centre.

“Tonight, we know that lots of people have chosen to stay in their homes and we’re appealing to those who may have damage to their properties to ensure they have an evacuation plan, especially if bad weather forecast for overnight causes any further issues,” she says.

Civil Defence Welfare Centre available

People affected by the major weather incident in Papatoetoe can go to the Civil Defence Welfare Centre at Otara Pool and Leisure Centre (Bairds Road entrance, Otara).

The centre provides support to those affected by this morning’s incident who are unable to stay with friends and family or have health or welfare needs.

Ms Sood says Auckland Emergency Management had a small number of requests for accommodation assistance (by early evening) and is are heartened that people are leaning on friends and whānau for a place to stay.

The centre will be open to provide support overnight, and those that can’t get to the centre but need assistance can contact Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 in the first instance.

If possible, people should bring medications and essential items, like identification documents, baby needs and warm clothing with them.

The centre has also received numerous offers of donations. While we thank the community for its generosity, no supplies are needed and we encourage these to be donated to local food bank services.

Weather forecast tonight – put a plan in place

We are expecting more heavy rain overnight, so if your house was damaged earlier today, make sure you have a plan in place and somewhere to stay if you need to evacuate.

You can contact Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00 if you need assistance.

Staying safe at home

Fire and Emergency NZ Area Commander Geoff Purcell says firefighters and urban search and rescue teams have spent the day visiting the most affected areas and carrying out damage assessments.

“For those staying at home tonight, we recommend not using candles or if you have to use them, place in a holder and keep well clear of anything that can burn – we don’t want any other emergency situations,” he says.

Mr Purcell also reminds people that gas heaters should not be used in small spaces.

Fire and Emergency NZ will maintain a roving presence overnight in the Papatoetoe streets affected by today’s tornado. They will be able to respond to any incidents that may occur due to the wind and rain forecast for the area overnight.

Clean up efforts

Auckland Emergency Management and Auckland Council are working together on clean-up efforts, including waste removal, street trees and putting together a response plan for building inspections. More information about these efforts will be available on Sunday.

Important advice for staying safe during power outages

Heating, lighting and cooking

DON’T be tempted to use unsafe ways to heat your home. Only use fireplaces that have been safety checked, follow the manufacturer’s advice when using gas heaters, NEVER use outdoor gas heaters inside or try to use your BBQ for heating.

DO boil water on your camp stove or BBQ for hot water bottles, wear extra layers of clothing and use extra blankets, close internal doors and curtains to retain heat. Use camp stoves in well-ventilated places and make sure food is cooked thoroughly before eating. Take care with candles or use battery-powered lanterns or torches instead, to prevent fire risk. If using a generator ensure you have enough fuel to keep it going.

Animal welfare

Pets are just as likely to become unwell by consuming unsafe food. If you are disposing of food due to power outages and if it is not safe for you to eat, it is not safe for your pets to eat.

Staying up to date and in touch

Listen to the radio for up to date news and advice. If you don’t have a battery operated radio, perhaps listen in your car. Conserve phone battery; limit mobile calls and data use (which drains your battery).

Make use of local community facilities

Drop into your local library or community hub to charge your phone. Libraries also have free internet and a warm place to sit.

Insurance

Many insurers provide cover for food spoilage as a result of a power outage. They may also cover the cost of temporary accommodation if you can’t stay at home and claim support if your home or property has been damaged during the storm.

Check your policy, phone your insurer and take photographs of the items you’re claiming for – even your spoiled food!

Food safety and illness prevention

Take care with food from your fridge and freezer to avoid food poisoning and manage spoilage issues. After more than two days without power, highly perishable foods may not be safe to eat.

• Throw out rotten or contaminated food quickly so it doesn’t spoil other food in the fridge.
• You can still eat food like raw vegetables, cheese and bread.
• Dispose of any food from the freezer which has thawed out and been at room temperature for longer than two hours.
• When the power comes back on, it is important not to refreeze food that has defrosted.
• If the frozen food has ice crystals and the packaging is intact then it can be refrozen.
• If you are unsure, have a closer look and smell. If the colour has changed, it has a slimy texture or if it smells off, it probably is off.
• If you eat food that has gone off, you can risk infection from salmonella, campylobacter and a range of food poisoning bacteria.

Update: 2pm, Saturday 19 June

People affected by a major weather incident in Papatoetoe this morning can go to the Civil Defence Welfare Centre at Otara Pool and Leisure Centre (Bairds Road entrance, Otara) from 2pm.

The centre will provide support to those affected by this morning’s incident who are unable to stay with friends and family or have health or welfare needs.

Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Parul Sood says the centre will offer needs assessments and connect people to support agencies.

“If your home or property was affected this morning, the welfare centre can offer a range of support.

“In some cases, accommodation can be provided, however we urge people to reach out to friends and whānau for assistance first,” she says.

If possible, people should bring medications and essential items, like identification documents, baby needs and warm clothing with them.

Pets, particularly dogs, should be taken care of by friends or whānau where possible, but can be brought to the welfare centre if there is no alternative.

People who need assistance but are unable to get to the centre can call Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 22 22 00.

This morning’s incident was a significant weather event where high winds severely damaged more than 50 properties, particularly in the Papatoetoe and Wiri areas.

Utilities, including power and water, have been affected and providers are working to fix these as soon as possible.