Around 80 homes 'significantly damaged' in Auckland flooding

Tuesday, 7 September 2021

Auckland mayor Phil Goff says flooding in Kumeū on top of Covid is a 'big burden' for many. (Video first published August 31, 2021)

Around 80 homes have been “significantly damaged” following major flooding across West Auckland last week.

The intense downpours affected suburbs including Huapai, Waimauku, Kumeū, Ranui and Piha, with Kumeū noting its second-wettest day since records began .

Rain gauges recorded between 220mm and 270mm of rainfall over the course of 12 hours last Monday and Tuesday.

Rapid building assessments undertaken by Auckland Council found four homes were no longer habitable or had suffered “significant structural compromises” and were deemed unsafe.

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These buildings received a red placard and further investigation and remedial work would be required before the property could be occupied.

Kumeū business owners use a kayak to ferry goods from a flooded warehouse after last week's flash flooding.

Another 74 had been given a yellow placard, which meant entry was restricted to only parts of the affected buildings because there was enough damage for the council to have “concerns about the building’s performance”.

“For example, it might mean that electrical systems have been compromised, but the rest of the house is safe,” the council said.

More than 100 properties had minor damage but were sufficiently safe and inhabitable and no council follow-up was needed.

All hands on deck as Kumeū business owners clean up mud and silt and check on damaged goods and equipment.

Preliminary investigations showed impacted areas were more localised than originally suspected, reducing the number of affected homes, Auckland Council said.

Mayor Phil Goff said the past few weeks had been tough for Aucklanders and the flooding added an “extra level of stress to what was already a difficult time”.

“Alert level 4 has made the response even more challenging, and I want to thank all of those involved for acting quickly and for helping get the recovery effort underway in difficult circumstances,” Goff said.

However, a mayoral office spokesman said a Mayoral Relief Fund was “not currently being administered” for the victims of the flooding.

“Nor has it been discounted. The council is keeping a watching brief on the situation and working closely with our welfare partners to assess need on the ground,” he said.

In June, Goff announced his office would contribute $100,000 to the fund which had already received $100,000 from the government. It was used to assist those impacted by a tornado that ripped through Papatoetoe – leaving at least 1200 homes damaged and nearly 70 people in emergency shelters.

Auckland Council building consents general manager Ian McCormick said the council would be following up with owners who received a yellow or red placard to provide support.

“It is likely that most of the damage suffered by these homes will not involve remedial work that requires building consent, but our teams will be on hand to let owners know what the next steps are.

“We know that this can be a challenging time, and we want to make it as easy as possible for those that have been affected,” McCormick said.