Two men were rescued after becoming trapped in floodwaters near Whangārei, as severe weather continues to impact Northland.
According to a report by Lochlan Lineham of NZ Herald, authorities have declared a State of Emergency in both the Whangārei District and Far North District, which will remain in place for the next seven days.
Vraj and Brijesh Patel had been travelling from Kawakawa to Whangārei earlier in the day when water levels were relatively low. However, on their return journey, they encountered rapidly rising water that left their vehicle stranded in floodwaters, as reported by Lochlan Lineham of the NZ Herald.
The pair were stuck for approximately 45 minutes before being rescued, they told the Herald, and said they were extremely grateful for the assistance.
In a separate incident, RNZ reported that a woman and two young children were also rescued after their vehicle became trapped in rising floodwaters in Northland.
According to the NZ Herald, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the woman’s car was caught between two bodies of water on Pigs Head Rd in Whananaki, prompting the deployment of a specialist swift water rescue team.
Firefighters waded through floodwaters to reach the vehicle, where they found the primary-school-aged children cold and frightened. A contractor later used a truck to transport the woman and children safely through the water.
Flooding has forced the closure of numerous roads across the region. The Far North District Council confirmed that 17 local roads are currently closed, including Kaitāia-Awaroa Rd, Diggers Valley Rd in Herekino, and Fairburn Rd in Kaitāia, as reported by the NZ Herald.
Residents in the Far North have been strongly advised to avoid all travel and to stay away from rivers, beaches, and floodwaters due to the risk of contamination from sewage and septic overflows.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell urged the public to keep clear of floodwaters, referencing a recent fatality.
Defence Minister Judith Collins said personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force have been deployed across Northland, including in Whangārei, with additional crews and vehicles on standby at RNZAF Base Whenuapai if needed, NZ Herald has reported.
According to the NZ Herald, specialist water rescue teams are operating in both Whangārei and Auckland, while Fire and Emergency New Zealand has reiterated its warning to motorists not to drive through flooded areas.
Some whānau have self-evacuated to Waikare Marae, located near the Bay of Islands, as conditions worsen.
Officials have warned that the situation may deteriorate further. Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania said the State of Emergency allows agencies to respond more effectively.
“Kaitāia and the wider Te Hiku community are now isolated due to flooding and will likely remain so until at least tomorrow, as reported by the NZ Herald.
“With the high tide due within the next few hours for both the east and west coast, we know other low-lying Far North communities will also be affected, " the NZ Herald has quoted.
“Our main message today, whānau is please don’t go out. Stay at home and stay in touch with your whānau and friends to make sure they’re safe,” as quoted by NZ Herald.