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The state of emergency in Napier was lifted tonight after flooding devastated the city earlier this week.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
At a press conference in Napier this afternoon, Mayor Kirsten Wise confirmed the end of the state of emergency.
Civil Defense said just over 100 homes had been deemed uninhabitable, out of a total of 449 properties evaluated so far.
Henry Hill School in Onekawa was a place that suffered severe damage.
Principal Jason Williams said he came out of a two-hour meeting after school and found the water was up to his knees.
“The chairman of the board and I got in his car, we turned the corner and our car stopped.
“The water was coming up so fast and we were floating on the road that if we didn’t get out of the car right then and there we would smash the windows and jump out the windows to get out, it was that kind of intense.
“So we both walked to the end of our street and went our separate ways and said we would text each other when we got home if our phones worked.
“I literally had a brisk five minute walk home, it felt like a three hour walk. The water was up to my waist as all the cars passed or floated by, the waves splashed in my face, it was pretty intense. It was like something you see on TV, in movies, and on the news. “
Principal Jason Williams says the water was up to his waist as he tried to navigate from school to his home.
Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
Today, dozens of people helped Henry Hill School staff and students clean up the damage.
As of yesterday afternoon, Williams thought the school would be closed for the rest of the year, but it should reopen on Monday.
“We have half the school, so we will use that half, so they will squeeze and huddle us, but we need the kids here.”
At the news conference, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defense Manager Ian Macdonald said the number of damaged buildings continues to rise.
“We have completed a total of 449 assessments, there are 102 homes that are not habitable and of those 24 are significantly damaged. We also have 34 non-habitable buildings on the hill. The rest of the non-habitable are in Pirimai, Maraenui, Marewa and a small number in Taradale “.
Food packages on the way
Meanwhile, hundreds of people affected by the floods are receiving food parcels delivered by local iwi volunteers.
A makeshift warehouse that was set up yesterday at Greenmeadows East Community Hall is now packed with donations from supermarkets, food producers, schools and other organizations.
Te Whanganui A Orotu President Hōri Reti said manawhenua was working with Civil Defense, the city council and the Ministry of Social Development to prioritize those in need.
Hori Reti with an assistant.
Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
“We will bring the food to the homes … the last thing they need is to worry about having to go out of their way to go find something that is a necessity for them right now.”
Reti said iwi also has teams on the ground in affected schools and in the community, working to clean up the damage caused by the floods.
“Cleaning the properties will be the next task, but we are certainly here to promote the well-being and well-being of families.”
“We are concerned about the levels of stress and anxiety that are occurring right now.”
The government awarded Napier $ 100,000 for his mayor’s disaster relief fund.
Wise said applications for the fund would likely open next week.
“The fund is for essential items of daily living, such as food, clothing and other personal items, not covered by insurance or other funds.”
He thanked the residents of his city for joining in after the flood, and hoped they would be ready for a big community cleanup tomorrow.
“There have been so many offers of help from across the city, and I think you will see that tomorrow will be quite amazing and everyone will come together and support those who have been affected by this.
“I am proud to be mayor of this city, that’s for sure.”
The organizers of the food bank.
Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
The Minister of Emergency Management, Kiritapu Allan, returned to Napier this afternoon and will be in town tomorrow to help with the cleanup.
Napier residents with flood-damaged goods can leave them on the curb for pickup starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Are you affected by the flood?
- Call 0800 422923 for assistance from Hawke’s Bay Civil Defense
- Call 0800 779997 to speak with the Ministry of Social Development
- Ring 0800424874 for the Te Whanganui or Orotu food bank
