Napier floods: woman buried in a mudslide rescued by her partner in the Napier flood

By Christian Fuller and Shannon Johnstone

A woman buried up to her neck in mud was rescued by her partner after a widespread flood in Napier caused a large slip at Hospital Hill.

More than 237mm of rain was recorded in Napier during Monday and overnight, making it the second wettest day on record for the city.

Paul Matthews of Main St pulled his partner out of the rubble after the back of their home was “destroyed” during a skid at around 6.30pm.

Matthews said his partner was “quite shaken and bruised” as a result, while friends and children who stayed at the house were also scared but unharmed.

A spokeswoman for St John Ambulance said they were notified, but were not required.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the district is “fortunate” to have no fatalities or injuries.

He said the rain was “torrential” and that the street “was like a river” during the downpour.

Since then, the house had been filled with mud. He cannot reach the kitchen, laundry and bathroom, or the outside shed due to debris.

The fire service evacuated the couple and others from the home.

“I was surprised at how quickly they got here.”

He said fire crews sent a drone to inspect the damage and said it was “the worst” in the city.

Neighbor Anne Vink said she witnessed Matthews pull her partner out of the mud and eventually get help from others.

“A huge rubber tree and mud destroyed her dream that Paul’s partner slept in, because she works shifts and was buried up to her neck in mud,” Vink said.

“He also lost his cat, he just found his bowl in the mud with his wife.”

Another neighbor, who did not want to be named, said several locals rushed to help the buried woman.

“There was a loud crash, then an old tree fell. All the neighbors rushed to help and found the woman in the mud up to her neck.”

Matthews, his partner and 28 other residents were evacuated to the Kennedy Park Resort Napier.

The Hawke’s Bay Civil Defense Emergency Management Group said assessments have begun in flood-affected Napier homes, with urban search and rescue squads from Palmerston North and Wellington working with Napier City Council teams to assess ground slides.

New Zealand Fire and Emergency Area Manager Ken Cooper said 30 homes across the district were evacuated Monday night.

“The priority for us is life risk,” he said. “Of the 300 calls we received, there are 100 properties that have suffered the effects of the storm.”

Wise declared a state of emergency in the city due to the flooding, calling the floods “an event in 250 years.”

Residents are told to take shelter in their homes and avoid driving when possible.

Vink said he knew there was going to be trouble after hearing a “loud bang” when the tree fell.

“It was very scary. The tree dragged everything with him to his house,” he said. “I am so worried about them because I think they are going to lose their home.

“His house is muddy from one end to the other and he seems to be about to slip. I have never seen a slip like this, never.

Another local said he had been digging and cleaning mud from the slip for hours.

Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management said if you feel unsafe at home, you should first evacuate your family and friends.

“If you have no other options, evacuate to Kennedy Park at 11 Storkey St, Marewa. If you need urgent help because you are in danger, call 111,” read a statement.