John Dragicevich
Auckland, April 13, 2018
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm and weather watch for the Auckland region for tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).
We are not expecting the weather conditions to be as impactful over the next day, but we still want our communities to take care.
Keep an eye on the weather during the weekend, secure loose outdoor items and clear your gutters. Another weather front moves across the region on Monday afternoon and is likely to bring gale force winds and some heavy rain.
Power shutdown
As of this afternoon, there are around 9000 properties across the region are still without power. Vector’s next priority is the pockets of individual homes still without power due to failures on the low voltage network.
This work, and the restoration of hot water pilot lines, will take until later next week.
For up to date information visit the Vector and Counties Power websites.
All downed power lines should be treated as live. Stay well away and do not attempt to cut or move trees that are in contact with lines.
Water and Portaloos
Anyone without access to a toilet or drinking water because of the storm, that cannot get any by other means, can phone us on 0800-222200.
We delivered 35 portaloos to affected households today. Public toilets are available in the following locations and operating their usual hours; some have temporary portaloos in place:
Piha – vault toilets available at Glen Esk Road and Log Race Road; The Piha Domain Campground has toilets; Karekare Beach has Portaloos on site; Te Henga Bethells Beach has Portaloos are onsite; Muriwai Beach Car Park -Toilets are operational; Anawhata – Vault toilets available.
Toilets are not operating at Maori Bay (Maukatia Bay) and the site is not suitable for portaloos due to wind.
Welfare and local help
About 7000 litres of water is being delivered to people without access to it.
We have arranged for 1200 bottles (of 1.5 litre capacity) of water to be taken to both Piha and Karekare to help the people who have been without it since the storm hit.
Anyone in Piha who is unable to get water by other means can go and pick up bottled water from the Piha Fire Station.
Please only take what you need, so that there is enough to go around. Don’t worry – if the power doesn’t come back on, these areas will be resupplied.
We would also like to remind people to keep checking in on their friends, family and neighbours to see if they need any assistance.
Think about what they might need, and if power continues to be out over the weekend consider offering space in your home.
Auckland Emergency Management and Auckland Council staff will be working in isolated communities over the weekend to check on vulnerable people and distribute information.
Auckland Council libraries are opening as normal tomorrow and people without power can go and get warm and charge their phones.
All Auckland Council leisure centres and YMCAs are offering a hot shower for free, and somewhere to get warm and have a hot cup of tea or coffee.
If you need help with urgent or unexpected costs as a result of the Auckland storms, the Ministry of Social Development may be able to help.
Medical health and advice
Contact your GP if you are concerned about health issues and contact your health provider if you need support like home support services including for support you currently receive.
Auckland Council contractors will be working around the clock to make roads safe and manage emergency tree works across the region. Contractors are prioritising jobs that pose immediate safety issues.
Trees will be put on berms and mulched at a later date, so contractors can move on to higher priority jobs. This may take weeks to clear.
Report trees down on public land to Auckland Council on 09-3010101.
John Dragicevich is Auckland Emergency Management Director at Auckland Council.
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