Teams prepare for upcoming weather

Auckland Emergency Management’s community hubs are open today for residents to drop in and talk to Work and Income New Zealand representatives.

They are able to provide financial and housing assistance to residents for urgent costs or expenses.

Police and Land Search and Rescue, the NZ Defence Force and the New Zealand Red Cross continue to visit households in affected areas today.

Acting Auckland Emergency Management Director Craig Glover says the focus for today is to determine which properties will still be without power for a number of days.

“Vector has restored power to 1600 properties overnight, but there are still approximately 2300 without power, and a further 350 without power in the Counties Power area.

“We understand that in some areas it could take up to a week to restore power.

“We are continuing to support the households that are affected and understanding how we can provide welfare support to people who will be without power for some time.”

Vector has published a list of suburbs and restoration timeframes on its websitehttps://www.vector.co.nz/personal/outages/restoration-times
While the weather is expected to be fairly stable today, we are expecting it to turn bad again on Monday.

“There is a front expected to move across Auckland that could bring gale force winds and some heavy rain on Monday,” says Glover.

“Take an opportunity today to secure loose outdoor items and clear your gutters. Check in on your neighbours to see if they need any assistance.”

Auckland Council contractors will visit properties with portaloos today to make sure they are secured for the upcoming weather.

Community hubs
Six community hubs offer a place to go for those who cannot access help via phone, offering information on how to access ongoing support.
They will be open until 4pm today, at the following locations:

Community hub Address
Waimauku War Memorial Hall 24 Waimauku Station Rd, Waimauku
Kumeu Library
296 Main Rd, Huapai, Kumeu

Glenfield Pool and Leisure Centre CLOSED – hub no longer required.
Massey Leisure Centre 545 Don Buck Road, Massey

Waitakere Domain Hall 13 Bethells Road, Waitakere

Waiatarua Fire Station 464 Scenic Dr, Waiatarua

Fickling Convention Centre 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings

Work and Income representatives are at Waimauku, Kumeu, Massey and Waitakere hubs. The hubs are being hosted by Auckland Council staff and are being used as bases for Police, Land Search and Rescue, New Zealand Defence Force and St John’s staff, who are carrying out door-knocking today.
The Fickling Centre in Three Kings is hosting Police community patrols and Maori Wardens.
Rural fire stations
Rural fire stations are open today to provide tea, coffee and phone charging.
Rural Fire Station Services
Bethells Beach Voluntary Rural Fire Station, Bethells Road Hot showers, food, tea and coffee, phones, phone charging.
Waitakere Volunteer Fire Station, 8 Township Road
Hot showers, food, tea and coffee, phones, phone charging.
Muriwai Volunteer Fire Station, 341 Motutara Road
Hot showers, food, tea and coffee, phones, phone charging.
Kaukapakapa Voluntary Rural Fire Station, 945 Kaipara Coast Highway
Tea and coffee, phone charging.
Puhoi Voluntary Rural Fire Station, 52 Ahuroa Road
Food, tea and coffee, phones, phone charging.

Weather

On Monday 16 April another front is expected to move across Auckland and is likely to bring gale force winds up to 100km/h on the west coast and some heavy rain, especially around midday.

Check the Metservice website for the latest weather updates.

Keep an eye on the weather in the coming days, secure loose outdoor items and clear your gutters.

Water and portaloos
Anyone without access to a toilet or drinking water because of the storm, that can’t get any by other means, can phone us on 0800 22 22 00.

We are continuing to deliver Portaloos on Sunday and Auckland Council contractors will ensure they are secured for the upcoming weather.

Power
Around 2,650 properties remain without power as a result of the storm.

For up to date information visit the Vector and Counties Power websites.

Once power is restored to your property, it may take several hours for the hot water lines be connected and for your cylinder to heat up. Call Vector if your hot water cylinder is not reheating after six hours of the hot water lines being reconnected.

All downed power lines should be treated as live. Stay well away and don’t attempt to cut or move trees that are in contact with lines.

Waste food
If you have spoiled food as a result of your power outage you can take it to Waitakere Transfer Station in Henderson and dispose of it for free. If you cannot access the transfer station and have more than 3 rubbish sacks of spoiled food call 0800 222200 to arrange for a special collection.

Waitakere Transfer Station address: 50 The Concourse, Henderson, Auckland 0610
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6am-6pm; Sat, Sun: 8am-4pm
Welfare and local help
Auckland Council libraries are open as per normal hours, and people without power can go and get warm, use wifi and charge their phones.

All Auckland Council leisure centres and YMCAs are offering a hot shower for free, and somewhere to get warm and have a hot cup of tea or coffee.

If you need help with urgent or unexpected costs as a result of the Auckland storms, the Ministry of Social Development may be able to help, call 0800 559009.

Medical health and advice
Contact your GP if you are concerned about health issues and contact your health provider if you need support like home support services including for support you currently receive.

Trees
Auckland Council contractors are working to manage emergency tree works across the region. Contractors are prioritising jobs that pose immediate safety issues.

Trees will be put on berms and mulched at a later date, so contractors can move on to higher priority jobs. This may take weeks to clear.

Report trees down on public land to Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.

Animal welfare
If your property is experiencing issues with septic/waste overflow, try to prevent animals coming into contact with this material. Animals are just as susceptible to becoming unwell as people if they ingest this material. It can cause gastro-like illness. If you are boiling water for safe drinking, do the same for your animals.

ENDS

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