King Country battered

AN historic storm battered the King Country this weekend, causing widespread damage and flooding across the region.

The brunt hit Te Kūiti, which was cut off for much of Saturday afternoon, residents were evacuated as night fell and many households were left without running water for close to 24 hours.

Many stepped up to help in the emergency response.
Waitomo district mayor John Robertson declared a state of emergency at 7.05pm on Saturday.

He said with nightfall upon the district and more rain expected, it was important the council was prepared with the right controls in place to provide help and support, including further evacuations if necessary.

Te Kūiti Pā offered a warm, dry place with running water and manaakitanga for anyone who needed it. The state of emergency was lifted before 10am the following day.

Civil Defence, council staff and contractors worked around the clock to provide updates and assistance to the community.

As waters began to recede in Te Kūiti on Sunday, the Waipā River rose in Ōtorohanga.

Floodwater lapped at the top of a one-metre-tall container next to the stopbanks and completely swamped a caravan park, causing the evacuation of visitors.
The main road into Waitomo Village was cut off to small vehicles by floods and slips.

Some international tourists spoken to by King Country News risked driving through the flooded road, while others opted to take the long way out through side roads.

Ruapehu district got off lightly compared to Waitomo, with several slips on the roading network and some high river levels.