Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, June 23, 2023
Hamilton City Council staff are responding to several calls about flooding, slips, three waters infrastructure issues and wastewater overflows after the city experienced a deluge of heavy rainfall overnight.
Flooding in some of the city’s residential streets has caused localised damage to private property, city infrastructure and vehicles, and response teams have been working proactively to determine the extent of flooding and what needs to be done, said Council’s general manager of infrastructure, Eeva-Liisa Wright.
“Response teams have been going door to door, checking on the welfare of people and beginning the clean-up. We are committed to working with residents to identify ways they can access support. Importantly, water from our taps is safe to drink, and our stormwater and wastewater systems are recovering.”
Hamiltonians are also being asked to take care when driving around the city after the heavy rain has caused some damage to asphalt and road surfacing.
Impacts to the Clyde Street and Nixon Street intersection in Hamilton East mean the roads will be under heavy traffic management for the next week while teams complete repairs.
“It will take the team about a week to fix the road. It may take people a bit longer to get through the area as we will have traffic management on site to keep everyone safe, so please be patient and try to use alternate routes if you can at peak hours.
We will be working with residents and businesses to make sure access is maintained throughout the week.
“As always, if you have any concerns, please call our Customer Services team or report any issue through our Antenno app,” said Ms Wright.
Flooding in Glenview
Yesterday’s heavy downpour has caused stormwater ponds on the outskirts of Hamilton to fail, sending floodwaters down city streets in Glenview.
The ponds and dam are privately owned, but managed by Waipā District Council. They are used to hold stormwater and protect downstream areas from flooding.
Council water services manager Martin Mould said the dam or ponds probably failed during the night or early morning after a night of heavy rain. He could not estimate how much water had escaped but said it was the first time the infrastructure had failed.
Hamilton City Council staff and contractors were at work in the impacted streets, dealing with the flooding.
Mr Mould said he did not have any further detail yet on what had happened or why but confirmed in the statement that last night’s heavy rain last night was “an inevitable factor. We will get to the bottom of it very quickly but right now our focus is limiting any further flooding and making it safe.”
Some tips for keeping safe during an emergency:
- If people are at risk, please call 111 and ask for Fire.
- If you have had any flood water in your home, please call our Customer Services team immediately on 07 838 6699.
- Please stay out of any flood water for your safety.
- If you come into contact with flood water, thoroughly clean your hands and clothes.
- Take photos of any damage and contact your insurance company or landlord as soon as you can if you have any concerns about your property.
- Take care when travelling around the city and expect some delays around affected areas.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
