Settled weather helps with clean-up efforts

MetService is forecasting a settled run of weather for the Auckland region this week, apart from the odd passing/light shower today and Friday. 

They are continuing to monitor a low over the Coral Sea that is expected to develop into a Tropical Cyclone before moving towards New Zealand at the end of the week. It may bring severe weather to northern parts of the country from Sunday onwards. 

Auckland Emergency Management says, “We’re asking the public to use this period of settled weather to clean up as much as possible and prepare for potential bad weather next week. 

“We will be in regular communication with MetService throughout the course of the week and will provide updates as required.”

Reports of impersonations of council staff 

“We’re hearing reports of people impersonating council compliance officers to enter people’s homes,” Auckland Emergency Management says.  

“Auckland Council officers will always be in uniform, will drive a council branded vehicle and will carry a council ID card. Please always ask to see this ID before letting them into your home. 

“If you have concerns that this has happened to you, or if you are approached by someone you believe is not from the council, please report it to the police by calling 105. 

“If you have recently had a visit from a compliance officer and want to verify that they were from the council, you can email us at: rbacomms@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.”

Emergency accommodation update 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has announced it is standing up its Temporary Accommodation Service to assist with the longer-term needs of those displaced by last month’s floods. 

The Temporary Accommodation Service team is working closely with Auckland Emergency Management to ensure that the disruption to those that have been displaced and are currently in emergency accommodation is minimised during the transition. 

We know that this has been a difficult couple of weeks for those that have been displaced, and we want to reassure people that we will do everything we can to ensure that this is a seamless process and that they continue to receive they need at this time. We’re still working with the same agencies; the focus is just shifting to longer-term support. 

For those in emergency accommodation, you do not have to do anything, someone will contact you. 

If you find yourself and your household needing assistance in finding temporary accommodation, please visit the MBIE website where you can register with the Temporary Accommodation Service www.temporaryaccommodation.mbie.govt.nz.   

Alternatively, email aucklandfloodtempaccom@mbie.govt.nz or call 0508 754 163 to discuss your needs.   

Managing flood-damaged items  

We’re continuing to ask households affected by the floods to bring their flood-damaged items to participating transfer stations within the Auckland region.  

If you would like to take your waste to a transfer station near you, please phone Auckland Council on 0800 22 22 00 to confirm your visit. You will need to provide your name, address, and vehicle registration to make the process easy at the gate and adhere to the facility rules, including wearing closed shoes. A list of participating facilities can be found here [PDF]. 

Waste collectors are urging householders in flood affected regions to take care as the clean-up process continues. They are asking households putting rubbish out for collections to:

• Keep away from the work area. We appreciate that people want to help waste collection staff gather up and dispose of waste, but the most helpful thing you can do is to leave the work to the waste collectors and the designated volunteers working alongside them.
• Keep hazardous waste like detergents, paints and pesticides separate from general waste
• Separate electronic waste and whiteware from general waste. Electronic waste is a fire risk and compressors and refrigerants in whiteware can harm the environment.

Rapid assessment update

As of midday, 8 February:

• 277 homes or buildings have red placards/stickers
• 1615 homes or buildings have yellow placards/stickers
• 2566 homes or buildings have white placards/stickers.

If you feel your property requires an inspection, and you have not yet been visited, please call Auckland Council on 0800 22 22 00 to request one.