It has been almost four weeks since the emergency response was first activated, when Tāmaki Makaurau was hit with devastating floods. Two weeks later, Auckland and the rest of the country responded to Cyclone Gabrielle, says Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) Duty Controller Rachel Kelleher.
From today, AEM will be pausing its daily media briefings, however, will continue to provide substantial, written daily updates that will be released to media and updated on OurAuckland.
“AEM remains activated and will not hesitate to reinstate daily media briefings if needed.”
AEM will continue to keep its website and social media updated, Aucklanders are encouraged to visit these channels on a regular basis.
MetService forecast
MetService Meteorologist James Millward says that Auckland is coming off the back of a much drier, settled run with 8 or so days of largely dry and fine weather, helping to dry out our soils a little.
“Metservice has issue a Heavy Rain Watch for Auckland tomorrow from noon until 10pm. Keep an eye on the weather radar tomorrow to see where these start to pop up,” says James.
“Into the weekend and we will see an improving trend develop, with plenty of sunshine and dry weather developing, setting the stage for another largely dry run into early next week.
“We do need to keep one eye on the Tropics to our north next week though, with a few tropical systems expected to develop as the week progresses. Whilst these are not expected to pose an imminent threat to New Zealand next week, MetService will be monitoring developments,” adds James.
Isolated communities
Welfare support is currently on the ground in Piha and Muriwai, and lifeline utilities are coming back online through the region – this includes power restoration in parts of Karekare.
Essential supplies such as food and medicine for Karekare is also ongoing.
As of 2pm, the number of families and businesses still without power stood at around 700. This includes customers at the west coast beaches of Piha, Bethells, and Muriwai.
For Riverhead, Northshore, Coatesville Albany, Simpson Road, in Rānui, Hobsonville and Rānui, Scenic Drive, Kaukapaka and Laingholm, the estimated date for restoration is 24 February.
And for parts of Waimauku, the estimated date for restoration is 25 February.
Currently, Vector is in the process of working with contractors to assist them in getting necessary access to these areas. Restoration is dependent on any further issues discovered when restoring power.
For further information on power restoration, visit: vector.co.nz
Transport and roads
“Auckland Transport’s focus is on restoring access to local roads affected by the storm. We are prioritising and deploying all of the resources needed to complete this work as quickly as possible,” says AT Chief Engineer Murray Burt.
As a result, some projects across the region have been paused while resources are redirected to support this critical recovery work.
In total, more than 130 roads were closed or partially closed as a result of the severe weather. As of today, nearly 100 of these roads have now been made safe and have been opened.
AT’s teams have visited all 1300 slip sites to assess damage and to determine next steps. Geotechnical visits have been prioritised at key areas such as Piha, Bethells Beach and Rodney so safe access can be returned to our isolated communities.
“There’s a mammoth task ahead of us and we want to assure our communities that work is underway. We are applying an emergency design and build process to significantly reduce the time it takes reinstate infrastructure, says Murray Burt.
“We will continue to work closely with these communities and listen to their concerns as we keep them updated on progress and timeframes.”
A recovery website has been set up so communities can get up to date information on the repair and recovery process.
The page continues to be updated regularly and people can visit there to find out the latest on the recovery work around the region: at.govt.nz/roadrepairs
Re-entry
AEM are working as quickly as possible on a plan for re-entry for those who have not been able to access their homes in order to collect belongings.
“We know people want to understand options for doing this safely and we are finalising plans on how and where this can occur safely,” says Rachel Kelleher.
Building assessments update
In just over three weeks, 6,906 building assessments have completed across Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Our focus has been on giving people a level of clarity around what condition their property is in as soon as possible and on protecting Aucklanders by determining whether a building is safe to occupy or whether it poses a health and safety risk,” says Auckland Council Director Regulatory Services, Craig Hobbs.
As of 11am, 23 February, our rapid building assessment figures are:
January 27 Flooding
- Red – 357
- Yellow – 1,943
- White – 3,179
Cyclone Gabrielle
- Red – 217
- Yellow – 282
- White – 907
There have also been homes assessed that have not required a placard.
For detailed guidance on what coloured placards mean visit: ‘What to expect from flood-damaged buildings’.
Printed information will also be available at libraries from tomorrow, Friday 24 February.
- Albany Village Library
- Kumeu Library
- Blockhouse Bay Library
- New Lynn War Memorial Library
- Mt Roskill Library
- Epsom Library
- Pukekohe Library
- Waiuku Library
- Northcote Library
- Birkenhead Library
- Glenfield Library
- Remuera Library
- Rānui Library
- Te Manawa Library & Community Hub
- Glen Eden Library
Regional Parks
Six of our regional parks remain closed until Wednesday 1 March due to safety and access restrictions.
Vehicle access to Muriwai Beach is also closed, with no access at Wilson Road and Coast Road.
“Do not attempt to get through the cordons, move traffic management signs or barriers, says Rachel Kelleher.
“The impacts of the floods and the cyclone are still being felt – give these affected communities the time and space they need to recover.”
Civil Defence Centres and Temporary Accommodation
There are now 7 civil defence centres, shelters and info hubs open across the Auckland region and overnight, we had 53 people staying in our CDCs.
AEM, along with its partner agencies such as MBIE and Kāinga Ora, are working to ensure everyone is moved to temporary accommodation that suits their needs.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated for the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Those affected by the Auckland floods who have a current, or expected future need for temporary accommodation, are encouraged to register with MBIE now by visiting the Temporary Accommodation website: www.tas.mbie.govt.nz or calling the government help line on 0508 754 163
Waste Solutions
Waste has been front and centre for this response and our teams and agencies have been working to ensure everyone has the right information they need to get rid of flood-damaged and cyclone damaged waste.
As of this morning, the Waste Solutions team have:
- 15 drop off facilities for customers to take their flood damaged material.
- 363 skip bins currently deployed.
- 796 skip bins deployed since the 30 January
- 3,635 tonnes currently collected from the kerb and processed through facilities
- 3,504 Request for Service for kerbside collections since 31 January.
Make sure to visit our website or social media pages as the primary source of information for the Auckland response or call us on 0800 22 22 00.
