A State of Emergency has been declared in the Waipā District following severe weather that has caused widespread flooding, slips and significant damage across the region.
According to a report by 1News, the neighbouring Ōtorohanga District declared a local State of Emergency overnight after being battered by heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Tragedy struck when a man was found dead after his vehicle became submerged in floodwaters between Pirongia and Ōtorohanga.
Around 80 people have been evacuated, with most seeking shelter at Te Kotahitanga Marae.
Weather warnings remain in force across several regions. Orange heavy rain warnings were issued for areas including Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, inland Whanganui, Manawatū north of Marton and Taihape. Strong wind warnings cover Gisborne, Wellington, Wairarapa, Tararua and eastern Marlborough, while heavy rain and strong wind watches extend across Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Horowhenua and the Kāpiti Coast, 1News has reported.
Forecasters say a deepening low is expected to stall, intensify and swing back toward Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern Bay of Plenty on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says State Highway 3 between Mangaorongo Rd and Ngahape Rd will reopen no earlier than 9pm tonight for essential travel only. However, only light vehicles will be permitted to cross the Mangaorongo Stream Bridge near Kio Kio Station, north of Ōtorohanga, 1News has reported.
"Crews have cleared debris and deemed the SH3 Mangaorongo Stream Bridge is safe to cross following extremely high river levels," 1News has quoted.
NZTA is urging Waikato motorists to take extreme care and avoid driving through floodwaters.
"The state of the road will be reviewed in the morning to determine whether heavy vehicles are safe to travel," quoted 1News.
State Highway 31 to Kawhia, between Ngutunui Rd and Tihiroa, and State Highway 39 between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia remain closed overnight.
A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for the Western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, with storms expected to move northeast, bringing torrential rain. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō and Gisborne.
Community support efforts are underway, with Ōtorohanga Tārewānga Marae and Te Keeti Marae providing free hāngi to those affected. Pick-up was available from 5.30 pm at Tārewānga Marae on Ōuruwhero Rd in Ōtorohanga, 1News has reported.
Ōtorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow has activated the district’s Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund to assist individuals, families, small businesses, community groups and marae facing financial hardship due to the disaster.
Residents significantly affected and who have exhausted other support options may be eligible to apply. Donations can be made to the Ōtorohanga District Council Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund at 02-0392-0018241-003, as reported by 1News.
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