Cop’s day of help, not rest
It was supposed to be a day off for Tokomaru Bay’s only police officer, Toa Saulala, but instead he was out in a flooded community, clearing roads and helping those in need.
Originally from Tonga, Saulala has been based in Tokomaru Bay for the past 21⁄2 years.
At least 200mm of rain fell north of Ruato¯ria during the weekend. Rivers reached capacity, vehicles were washed from roads and trees and boulders tumbled from the hills.
Tokomaru Bay was one of the worstaffected areas.
Saulala said four flooded houses were ‘‘pretty wrecked’’ and were being assessed by insurers. ‘‘I had the weekend off and usually go out of town, but this time I decided to stay at home. On Sunday morning I heard the rain, but was clueless to what was going on as our house is in a pretty safe area’’.
But the moment Saulala’s wife showed him videos and images of flooding on social media, the gumboots and raincoat were on, and he was out the door.
‘‘By the time I got out there, the waters had receded, but there was a lot of debris on the road, so my wife followed me in my police truck as I threw big bits off the road, so traffic could still get through.’’
Saulala’s concern then turned to a small group of residents in Waipiro Bay.
‘‘I was concerned for the elders out there, because a lot of them had been cut off from big slips and the road had been washed out completely. So it was just about getting basic supplies and care packages to them until the road gets re-established.
‘‘They were quite happy to see me.’’ He said others were out much earlier than him, clearing the beaches and checking who needed help. ‘‘I’m not by any means the one that’s done very much. All the community has done the work.’’