Check on the most vulnerable Aucklanders

Auckland Emergency Management Director John Dragicevich says lack of power and water are the key issues still affecting households since Tuesday evening’s storm.

“The effects of Tuesday night’s storm are still being felt across Auckland. Overnight, Auckland Emergency Management received more than 45 calls from households needing portaloos and drinking water, which we are distributing today.

“The latest information from the power companies today is that around 16,500 of their customers are without power. These issues directly affect the welfare of Aucklanders and we ask people to check on their friends and family who may be affected.

“This means calling them if you can, going around to see them or if you can’t get there, can someone else you know check in on them? When you visit take what they might need, things like hot food, clean water and blankets,” he says.

Weather
Metservice is forecasting more bad weather on Saturday. Rainfall is forecast to become locally heavy, mainly south of the city, through to Saturday evening, at which point the rain should ease and clear the region.

Auckland is likely to experience another burst of heavy rain and gales on Monday.

“Keep an eye on the weather during the weekend and when it is safe to do so secure loose outdoor items and clear your gutters. Also it might be a good time to restock your emergency supplies such as fuel for generators, gas bottles for barbeques, and batteries for your torches,” says Dragicevich.

Power
Vector has brought in extra crews from outside the region who have been working through the night to restore power.

For up to date information visit Vector and Counties Power website.

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.

Water and Portaloos
Since Thursday evening Auckland Emergency Management has received more than 45 calls from people needing drinking water and portaloos, and these are being distributed today. This is specifically for those who are on septic tanks which rely on power to draw potable water and have no power.

Each person will receive 2.4 litres of water per day for three days.

Most of the requests are from isolated communities, and going forward we are looking to identify locations for centralised portaloo and drinking water sources. These will offer multiple portaloos and water for communities to access.

Anyone without access to a toilet or drinking water because of the storm can phone us on 0800 22 22 00.

Local help
Auckland Council libraries are open today and people without power can go and get warm and charge their phones.

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

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
Since Tuesday Auckland Council has received more than 2000 calls via the council’s contact centre relating to downed trees, this is more than is usually received in an average month.

The priority is to focus on jobs that pose immediate safety issues, where trees have brought down powerlines, have fallen on houses, or are preventing people from getting in and out of their driveways. Council contractors are working 24 hours in shifts to respond to emergency calls, which are expected to continue until Monday.

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

ENDS

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