Dargaville locals wake to early morning call to evacuate as floodwaters rise

Author: Jaime Lyth,
Publish Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023, 1:30PM

Dargaville residents were roused from their sleep by urgent calls to evacuate as the Awakino River on the northern outskirts of the township burst its banks in the early hours of the morning.

A dozen households in the area were hastily evacuated by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) staff and police as floodwaters began to submerge parts of the Kaipara town situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River.

Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson took the precautionary step of asking River Rd and Mangawhare residents to begin self-evacuating. The move was spurred by concerns about possible flooding that could affect up to 400 households.

“We’re still worried about the fact that we’ve got high tide again at seven tonight, which very much affects Dargaville,” Jepson said.

“A reminder for other Dargaville residents in low-lying areas that haven’t already been evacuated - if you are concerned about the water levels around your home, you may want to consider evacuating.

“In the meantime, we are asking anyone who has been evacuated to stay where they are and not to return home yet,” Jepson said.

The council urged people whose homes become unsafe to first seek shelter with whānau or friends.

By midday, around 65 people had sought refuge at the Holy Trinity Church in Dargaville - an official Civil Defence evacuation centre.

Around 40 people have evacuated their homes in Dargaville. Photo / Kaipara District Council.

For the first time in 20 years of operating Ace Rental’s Dargaville yard has been inundated by flood waters.

“I can’t believe it,” said Ace Rental Managing Director Clem Simpkin.

Cyclone Gabrielle dumped enough water overnight that Ace Rental’s Dargaville yard has been rendered inaccessible, although its Kerikeri yard is still operational and unaffected by flooding which means they’re still able to supply heavy machinery to Northland and deliver it where it’s needed on their trucks.

“We’re down but not out,” Simpkin said.

Ace Rental's Dargaville yard was inundated with floodwaters overnight. Photo / Supplied

Ace Rental is a northland-based hire company specializing in construction and earthmoving machinery, like excavators and sweepers that are used for a variety of jobs including the clearing of storm damage.

“We’ve seen a spike in demand for machinery that can help clear storm damage,” he said.

The Ace Rental team was busy overnight delivering excavators to help clear storm damage from roads, such as fallen trees.

Simpkin, a lifelong Northland resident, business owner and Dargaville native, said his thoughts were with Dargaville residents who had been impacted by the flooding and he applauded the efforts of emergency response teams and local volunteers who have taken control of the situation and are ensuring everyone is safe.

A community-led evacuation centre at the old Greenways Trust Building on Tirarau St, managed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, has opened.

Emergency services also asked Dargaville High School to open its gymnasium as an additional centre if required.

Yesterday, Dargaville businesses hurriedly sandbagged their premises ahead of Monday evening’s high tide, as the water was already rising up just below the stopbanks.

A welfare assistance number had been set up for those in Kaipara affected by the cyclone. Those needing welfare assistance could call 09 439 1111.

People should report roading damage and other impacts by calling the council’s service centre on 0800 727 059.

”Be careful, hunker down,” Jepson said.

”There are lots of slips and trees down along with power outages,” he said.

”Look after yourselves. Stay put.”

For further updates, check the Kaipara District Council’s Facebook page.