Wild weather wreaks havoc
TeAwamutufelt the full force of a storm front last Wednesday, November25, with heavy rain and hail resulting in widespread flooding as stormwater and drainage systems failed to cope, and trees and power lines were felled as a tornado hit Po¯kuru.
Surface water quickly rose on a numberof roads and overflowing drains and gutters inundated a numberof homesand businesses.
ThenewWINZand Oranga Tamariki building on Sloane/Vaile streets suffered significant flooding as water from surrounding higher ground poured into the underground carpark.
Te Rehia Papesch, Regional Commissioner for Waikato, said the sitewas closed at 3.30pm.
“While the basement wasaffected therewas no damageto the premises. After a thorough inspection the building was reopened at 8.30am Thursday for clients to attend appointments and business went on as usual at the site.”
TeAwamutuVolunteer Fire Brigade wasin attendance Thursday topumpwater from the basement.
Te Rehia said the flooding in the basement caused waterdamageto vehicles belonging to Oranga Tamariki, personal vehicles, e-vehicle charging points, power sockets and lighting.
Waipa¯ District Council said as part of building consent requirements, a specific engineer designed stormwater systemwas required, including a submersible pumpin the basement.
Workers at the site during cleanupsaid thepumpwasdesigned to cope withknownwater issues at the site, but not extreme weather events such as Wednesday’s storm.
TeAwamutuLibrary also closed, causing the postponement of an event.
Waipa¯ District Council reports several of their buildings experienced light flooding.
In the library the front foyer and part of the rear staff area flooded, and although it was relatively light the librarywas closed while the water wasmoppedup and dried out.
The library reopened opened on Thursday morning.
At council’s 101 Bank St office a portion of the ground floor flooded, and at several other councilowned buildings in town, the ground floors flooded.
Noneof the incidences were severe.
Erinna Lane from TeAwamutu BoxingAcademysaid their premises was completely flooded— a setback
as they prepare for their second prizegiving.
“Weare incredibly thankful for the TeAwamutuBoxingAcademy kids, families and community for coming out to help us clear the water as best aswecould,” she said.
Before the rain hit, notice of intention was served at Po¯kuru.
Contract milker Brian Glass said at about 11am he heard the loudest crack of thunder he had ever heard.
Itwasonly drizzling at that stage, but then the wind started to pickup
and hesaw a tornado approaching from the north-west.
It tracked through the neighbour’s property, sucking out windows and depositing the barbecue on the roof, cametowards his hose between two lines of trees, took out his power and headed towards Stewart Alexander Golf Course, damaging a shed on the way.
Five trees on the farm were felled by the tornado and several had large limbs broken off.
Powerwas restored at about 3pm.