STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

Ōtorohanga District Mayor Rodney Dow has declared a State of Emergency for the Ōtorohanga District.

The State of Emergency declaration takes effect immediately (signed at 12:57am on Saturday 14 February 2025) and expires in seven days.

Mayor Dow says the district has experienced widespread flooding and heavy rain, with reports of flooding, slips and inundation.

“The situation in Ōtorohanga is serious, and with nightfall upon us, it’s important we are prepared and have the right controls in place to provide help and support, including required evacuations if needed.”

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood up in the Council Chambers after the initial event with Council’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) team working on gathering intel and providing support.

Further help from ŌDC’s CDEM partners at Western Waikato may also be called in to provide support.

Mayor Dow and fellow elected members have also been closely monitoring the situation.

The declaration was signed following formal advice from CDEM Duty Controller Dave Simes.

A declaration enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources and enact additional powers to assist those affected.

Infrastructure and emergency services partners have been working throughout the evening to assess and manage the impacts of the weather event, including water infrastructure and roading.

For safety reasons, residents are being urged to stay at home and not venture out.

“I urge you to stay safe and do not venture out into floodwater – it is not safe,” says Mayor Dow.

If you need help, please contact our call centre on 0800 734 000. If it is an emergency, phone 111 immediately

Our Civil Defence communications officer will keep our community updated via the Council’s Facebook page and website.