Taranaki's recent history includes significant flooding events.
This page has advice on preparing for and copying with floods, and background information on flooding in the region.
Before a flood strikes:
DO
- Assume that you will have to cope with a flood.
- Realise that several so-called '100-year' floods can happen in quick succession.
- Find out about the worst flood in your locality and how high it rose. Calculate where such a flood would reach in your home.
- Inform yourself about present and future plans for building flood protection schemes in your locality.
- Know how to reach the nearest high ground.
- Keep your valuables and some food and clothing above what you judge to be the high-water mark.
- Store weedkillers, insecticides and other chemicals above your estimated high-water mark.
- Develop a plan of action if flooding is a hazard for you.
- Keep your insurance cover up-to-date.
When a flood threatens:
DO
- Listen to your radio for information. Follow emergency management advice and instructions.
- Disconnect electrical appliances and move valuables, clothing, food, medicines and chemicals above the likely reach of floodwater.
- Take your Getaway Kit with you if you have to leave your home. Turn electricity and gas off at the mains.
- Go to shelter on high ground - possibly a friend or neighbours, call emergency services on 111 if you are in immediate danger!
- If you are from Taranaki and have evacuated your home, contact the Emergency Management Office on 0800 736 222 to register.
- Take your domestic pets with you.
DON'T
- Go into floodwater alone.
- Go sightseeing through flooded areas.
- Drink floodwater. It could be contaminated.
Understanding the hazard
Flooding in the eastern hill country and lower reaches of the Waitara River have been identified as significant hazards for Taranaki. Whilst each scenario presents unique issues and concerns, a generic approach to hill country flooding is possible.
A Waitara Flood Plan has also been prepared in conjunction with emergency services which allows for the evacuation of residents and businesses within the Waitara Flood Hazard Zone (see map at right).
The Taranaki Regional Council's Flood Manager is responsible for issuing flood warnings. These warnings are based on rainfall and river levels being recorded around the region and on weather forecasts issued by the MetService. Where an immediate threat to life is apparent, the Flood Manager may recommend to emergency services that evacuations are undertaken.
Evacuations for any emergency are undertaken by the emergency services. The CDEM Group gets involved to co-ordinate the efforts and to provide for welfare of the affected people. The CDEM Group Controller also liaises with media to keep public informed of what is happening.