Cleaning up after floods out west

Auckland businesses deal with aftermath

The clean-up has begun in Auckland suburbs hit hard by a massive storm that enveloped the city on Monday night forcing evacuations and cutting off roads and power.

But some roads remain closed and will cost millions to repair before they can be used again.

About 50 homes were evacuated after the storm, families fleeing as floodwaters rose.

Firefighters used a jet ski to reach some who were trapped and surf lifesavers used IRBS to help rescue stranded people. Civil Defence and NZDF were also called in to assist emergency services as calls for help escalated.

West Auckland’s Kumeu, Huapai, Ranui, Piha and Henderson Valley were the worst hit with around 400 homes losing power.

The storm resulted in the most rain to hit Auckland in a single weather event since 2017, with 90mm coming down each hour at the storm’s most ferocious moments.

A Vector spokesman said crews had “worked around the clock to restore power”.

“Several areas including Piha and Bethells Beach had power restored on

Tuesday evening,” he said. “The power was also back on in Huapai this morning after extensive flooding restricted our crews from accessing the area.”

Vector wanted to acknowledge its hardworking crews working on the front line.

An Auckland Transport spokesman confirmed there were still five roads in the West Auckland area that remained closed.

“We are looking at a bill of $2 to $3 million to get them up and running again,” he said.

“The one affecting the most people is Bethells Rd toward the beach. Part of the road is washed out and we are looking at options for getting temporary access across nearby private land. It is not safe to use the road.”

He said Mountain Rd has a slip and there is also a slip on Lone Kauri Rd.

“Both of these could take some time to repair. There are two houses cut off on Lone Kauri Rd.” Locals in West Auckland are doing what they can to get their homes habitable. The water had largely receded from Kumeu town centre, leaving behind debris hanging off the tops of fences that were underwater. The owners of businesses hit by the flooding are sweeping factory floors and removing silt and debris.