One week after torrential rain left homes around Auckland destroyed and four dead, Tāmaki Makaurau is still in the “discovery” phase of its response to the flooding, Auckland Emergency Management deputy controller Rachel Kelleher said.
Speaking at 3pm on Friday afternoon, Kelleher urged travellers to “please avoid unnecessary travel” as the long weekend begins.
“Floods and flash floods can happen quickly, as we’ve seen.
“Please act immediately if you see rising water – don’t wait for official warnings to head to higher ground,” she said.
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She asked that Aucklanders “plan ahead” and remain vigilant when going for walks, hikes and tramps over the weekend.
”A number of tracks and walkways will have been impacted too.”
If there is immediate risk to life, Kelleher reminded all Aucklanders to call 111 immediately.
Earlier on Friday, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown announced that the state state of emergency in the city was to be extended for a further seven days.
Ryan Anderson/Stuff
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has extended the local state of emergency a further seven days.
He acknowledged that he had “dropped the ball” in his response to Auckland’s flooding last Friday.
Kelleher said this extension was “necessary” given the “scale and widespread nature of the emergency” across Tāmaki Makaurau.
It will enable access to emergency powers and streamline work with partner agencies, she said.
Since the clean-up across the city began, more than 500 tonnes of flood affected waste has been disposed of.
On Friday alone, more than 4000 building assessments across Auckland had taken place. 232 properties had been red-stickered, and a further 1294 yellow stickers had been issued.
Additional defence personnel will be arriving in Auckland to help with waste disposal, she said – but a date for their arrival had yet to be confirmed.
Ryan Anderson/Stuff
29 roads across the Auckland region are still closed, while more than 60 roads have been re-opened since last Friday.
Auckland Emergency Management’s briefing comes after wet weather struck Auckland again overnight following a week of torrential downpours that saw much of the city flood.
Speaking earlier on Friday, MetService saidthat although 0.8mm of rain had fallen by 3am on Friday, a further 7.6mm was expected to hit by 3pm.
Ryan Anderson/Stuff
Rain was still falling in Auckland on Friday morning.
A heavy rain watch that had been in place for eastern areas of Auckland lifted at 10am. Thunderstorms are possible in West Auckland on Friday afternoon.
Representatives from Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei, Auckland Council and Watercare placed a rāhui on the Waitematā on Friday morning.
Deputy chairperson of the Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust Ngarimu Blair said this provided an opportunity for the waters to recover from the past week’s pollution.
“In the interests of public health and respect for this taonga which has received the polluted flows over the past week. Karakia, Karanga and waiata rang out also to encourage our beloved waters to recover and continue to sustain us.”
DAVID WHITE/STUFF
In less than a week, 1867 vehicles have been towed because of water damage.
An iwi spokesperson said they would provide an end date when they were ready.
Earlier on Friday, mayor Wayne Brown announced the state of emergency in the city was being extended.
Meanwhile, Niwa confirmed that January was Auckland’s wettest month in 170 years.
Central Auckland had a monthly rainfall total of 539mm, exceeding the old record of 420mm from February 1869.
