February 01, 2023
Civil defence warning as heavy rains return
The national head of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Roger Ball, says Friday’s flood in Tamaki Makaurau was “a little bit biblical’.
Communities and councils are now removing water-damaged furniture and appliances and clearing slips and wash outs across the city.
So far more than 58 tonnes of storm and flood waste has been dropped off at Waitakere Transfer Station.
Roger Ball says he’s heartened by the resilience he is seeing as communities around the motu rally around those in need is evidence of resilience in the community.
But he warns people need to brace themselves for more downpours this afternoon, with a red rain alert for north of Orewa and orange for the rest of Tamaki Makaurau.
“It’s because ground is so saturated now and because a lot of places are vulnerable to slips, we’re getting high winds again today so that could put some trees at risk if they’re on saturated soils so we’re asking people to please keep an eye out, look after whanau, pay attention to the public safety messages from Auckland Emergency Management and reach out to your neighbours and support each other,” Mr Ball says.