Kaimango Road, west of Ōtorohanga, suffered extensive damage.
All hands were to the pump last week as King Country communities battled severe weather.
From flooding to slips, the impacts of the wild weather are still being felt, Waitomo District Council mayor, John Robertson said.
Storm damage, Waiharakeke Bridge
“This weather event has been traumatic for those whose houses have been flooded, concerning for those trapped by road closures and shocking for farmers who have been flooded and now face massive clean-ups,” he said.
“So many of our communities were cut off and because flood waters took so long to recede, council and its contractors have struggled to access those impacted as quickly as we’d have liked. However, neighbours supported neighbours, farmers supported farmers, police and fire services stepped up – I thank them all.”
The storm was a freak event, Waitomo’s civil defence emergency manager Alex Bell said.
Kaimango Road, west of Ōtorohanga, suffered extensive damage. Photo: Ōtorohanga District Council.
“The rainfall was well in excess of what we expected from the first rain watch. Particularly in the Awakino, Mōkau area, it was significant and far in excess of anything that was anticipated. We certainly feel for the people who were worst impacted.”
Monitoring systems on the Awakino River hint at how severe the rainfall was, Bell said.
“The maximum level this can measure is 4.9 metres, and it surpassed that. It went higher than any record we’ve ever had, so we don’t actually know the full extent.”
“It’s still too early to tell, but the total could be similar to Cyclone Dovi in 2022, approximately $20 million,” Bell said.
Kaimango Road, west of Ōtorohanga, suffered extensive damage. Photo: Ōtorohanga District Council.
“Roading damage will be 95 per cent covered by NZ Transport (NZTA) and council will fund the remaining five per cent. In terms of property damage, it’s a matter for insurance companies. Beyond that, we are working with the Rural Support Trust and partner agencies to understand what additional help can be provided to people affected by the storm.”
Power was restored across the district within a few days, but damage to property and infrastructure has been extensive.
Waitomo, Ōtorohanga and Waipā district councils worked together under the Western Waikato Civil Defence umbrella, based at Ōtorohanga Chambers.
Storm damage, Kōpaki Road
Of the three districts, Waitomo was hardest hit, but there was no shelter for Ōtorohanga either as the district’s newly elected mayor, Rodney Dow, faced a baptism of water.
Tony Quickfall, from Ōtorohanga District Council’s executive, said the sudden nature and severity caused widespread damage.
The region’s roads appear to have borne the brunt of the damage.
“As far as the roading network goes, once we understand the full magnitude and the cost, we will be applying for additional funding assistance from the NZ Transport Agency under the emergency works provisions, but at this stage we are unable to advise exactly what this might look like.”
Storm damage, Kōpaki Road
Kaimango Road, west of Ōtorohanga, suffered extensive damage. Photo: Ōtorohanga District Council.
