A slip on State Highway 39, Ōtorohanga.
Photo: Supplied / Otorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade
A local state of emergency has been declared in Ōtorohanga, Waikato, after the district was lashed by heavy rains.
The declaration was made at 12:57am on Saturday and will stay in effect for seven days.
Mayor Rodney Dow said the district had experienced widespread flooding, slips and inundation.
“The situation in Ōtorohanga is serious … it’s important we are prepared and have the right controls in place to provide help and support, including required evacuations if needed,” he said.
“I urge you to stay safe and do not venture out into floodwater.”
Ōtorohanga District Council said an emergency operations centre had been stood up in its chambers after the initial deluge.
Duty controller Dave Simes formally advised the council to declare the state of emergency to allow response agencies to draw on additional resources and powers, it said.
Infrastructure and emergency services have worked through the night to assess damage caused by the weather, including on water infrastructure and roading, the council said.
The Lines Company website showed some households have been without power overnight, with further outages reported in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Heavy rain warnings and watches remain in place for much of the North Island, with downpours likely to continue throughout the day.
MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti, in particular, is expected to see a more sustained period of heavy rain.
There are also a heavy rain watches in place for Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Hawke’s Bay.
Multiple roads remain closed after significant flooding and slips.
A slip on State Highway 39, Ōtorohanga.
Photo: Supplied / Otorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade
Flooding in Waikato has closed State Highway 39 between Pirongia and Ōtorohanga. A detour is available via State Highway 3.
Whirinaki Valley Road in Horohoro is open under stop/go traffic management following a slip, but the Transport Agency warns the State Highway 30 road could close at short notice if weather conditions chang.
Towards Tai Rāwhiti, other roads remain blocked following recent storms.
State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge is closed between Ōpōtiki to Mātāwai because of slips and flooding.
State Highway 35 is shut between Pōtaka and Te Araroa while it’s being repaired. The stretch between Whakaangiangi Road and Te Araroa is closed until Monday, because of the adverse weather forecast.
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