West Auckland floods: Kumeū community rallies as recovery begins

Wednesday, 1 September 2021

Kumeū businesses have launched into clean-up recovery mode following Tuesday's flooding and many businesses have cleared out their stores for cleaning.

A day after devastating floods in West Auckland, locals are stepping into recovery mode.

West Auckland received upwards of 150 millimetres of rain between midday Monday and midday Tuesday, in what was Kumeū’s second wettest day on record.

Due to heavy, localised downpours, townships such as Kumeū and Piha were worst affected.

Many Kumeū business owners had to watch helplessly as their stores were ruined by floodwater. Kumeū gym owner Cassandra Keegan watched on a security camera as the car park and flooring of her gym were lifted by an influx of water.

Keegan was unable to access their business yesterday because the flooding had submerged the gym. Casey says all their equipment is unsalvageable because of the black water contamination from the flooding, which is considered a health hazard

Gym owner Cassandra Keegan was unable to access her business yesterday because flooding had submerged the premises. She says all the equipment is beyond salvage.

* Auckland flooding: 400 homes without power, 11 rescued after storm

* Piha residents excited about hosting world surfing event but worried about deteriorating road

All hands on deck as Kumeu business owners clean up mud and silt and check on damaged goods and equipment after yesterdays flood. The Meus Cafe and Eatery owner Tommy Yan says they've lost everything.

A slip on the main road into Piha, showing the damage caused by Tuesday's storm.

“I didn't sleep that night as the rain kept me awake but I never dreamed we would wake up the next morning to a gym foot-high in water,” Keegan said.

“We don't know where to start. We have got a truck pumping water, so we will just go from there. Everything is damaged, it is pretty bad, and it will all need replacing. Not one bit of our gym wasn't covered – it is just a disaster.”

Some business owners in Kumeū will be looking for help from the community. A fundraising page has been launched to support businesses such as Keegan’s. Kumeū Business Association chairman Mark Dennis said some businesses had emerged better than others.

The damage in the Kumeū township is visible across the town centre, with debris scattered everywhere.

“Many Kumeū businesses are heavily affected. Zubu, for example, on [the owner’s] Instagram, it showed her shop has not been damaged at all. It came to the front of her deck but the store is fine,” said Dennis.

“But ones down the road have been damaged completely, like Treescape where their utes were submerged. The businesses low-lying will be needing lots of [water] pumping, especially due to the access point.”

Five roads remain closed in West Auckland – the one causing the most problems is Bethells Beach Rd, towards the beach.

Mountain Rd, Lone Kauri Rd and Te Henga Rd are also blocked off to travellers due to dangerous conditions, and there is also a detour in place for Opanuku Rd where a number of trees are done.

Residents in Piha said the storm was “the worst they had seen”, as many woke to a main road compromised by slips.

All hands on deck as Kumeu business owners clean up mud and silt and check on damaged goods and equipment after yesterdays flood. Huapai Truck Painters owner Clive Way says all his tools and equipment is ruined.

“The recent slip repair to Forest Hill Rd took over a year to fix and the washout at Karekare is a big-budget fix,” said resident Erin Hales.

“The school buses serve both communities out here, there are about four buses twice daily. But with the Piha road comparably smaller slip, the buses will be an issue. If we get another spring rain event, which is quite likely, then we may lose that access.”

Hales also said there was still gravel and debris on the road, however she was thankful the rain stopped on Tuesday.

As residents rushed to stores to bail out water, shovel slip debris off roads and rescue belongings from houses, the risk of Covid-19 spread lingered. Dennis believes Kumeū business owners were mindful of keeping to their bubbles despite the chaos.

“The emergency response goes above the Covid response, that was the main priority,” said Dennis.

“Being level 4, there were lots of fire brigade to help, so contacting with strangers outside the bubble was not so much of an issue.”

Piha locals were also aware of Covid protocol, observing social distancing as they cleared the slip.

“We have at least three digger companies out here and they all followed protocol,” said Hales.

“Even the locals were digging in bubbles 2 metres apart; by and large everybody has been pulling together while keeping their distance.”

Waitakere ward councillor Shane Henderson said he would be reviewing information to determine any potential threats of Covid spread. He expects people will return to their bubbles after helping with the cleanup.

“We are getting more information on the 60 evacuees, some reported to a shelter and some reported to neighbours. So we are gonna find out more,” said Henderson.

In the midst of recovery, attention has also turned to how the floods occurred. While Kumeū bore the brunt, neighbouring township Helensville was largely undisturbed.

Craig Walker, a Kumeū local, said his son-in-law noticed Helensville was in a good place. He believes questions need to be asked of the stormwater system.

“When it rains, you get lots of water coming through the Waitākere Range, and finding its way up to the Kaipara harbour,” said Walker.

“It seemed to be that the water didn't have anywhere to go – Helensville could have taken some of our water but we couldn't get it up there. Questions need to be asked. It says to me the water artery is blocked, there has to be an issue there.”

Auckland Council has been approached for comment on Kumeū’s stormwater condition at the time of flooding.