State of Emergency declared in Rotorua after heavy rain caused widespread flooding

April 29, 2018

The New Zealand Civil Defence has declared a localised State of Emergency to help emergency services with evacuations in Rotorua this evening. 

Evacuations have been taking place in Ngongotaha since 3.30pm. 

Evacuees are being moved to the Emergency Welfare Centre in town, at the Energy Events Centre. 

"I urge those in Ngongotaha affected by floods to go with emergency services who will ensure their safe passage to the emergency welfare centre at the Energy Events Centre where they will receive the support they need," Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said in a statement.

Flooding has been reported at some properties along Western Road after the stream breached its banks. 

Other roads affected by the turbulent weather include Oakland, Streamdale, Brookdale and Pioneer Roads.

There may be some relief for the regions hit the hardest from today's wild weather with heavy rain warnings having since been lifted in Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, eastern Otago and Canterbury south of the Rakaia.

However, occasional showers with some heavy rainfall is expected to continue overnight until tomorrow morning.

Earlier today, around 32 people were trapped at Rotorua's Agrodome after a stream running through the property had its banks to burst today. 

The Agrodome was flooded after torrential rain hit the region, causing water levels to rise.

Around 12 people and 20 staff were unable to leave the site, but were kept safe inside the main building until fire services were able to evacuate them.

Thirty homes are also evacuated by the fire service following widespread flooding in the region.

Residents were also evacuated from Western Road in Ngongotaha at 3.30pm after their homes were flooded.

Fire and Emergency NZ have told 1 NEWS they have received 160 calls in regards to weather-related incidents across Rotorua and the Coromandel. Roughly 140 of those calls were from Rotorua.

Knee-deep water saw residents having to evacuate due to the wild weather.

Footage by Allen Hennessy shows cars driving through the flooded intersection at the Skyline Gondola's corner. 

One man could be seen taking advantage of the wild weather as he kayaked through floodwaters at Kuirau Park.

MetService have a Heavy Rain Warning for Rotorua from 9am today to 12am Monday. 


 

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