Looting not a problem for flood-affected Thames residents

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Widespread flooding caused damage to houses and roads on State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel. Residents piled flood-damaged items on the roadside.

Two teenagers have been referred to Youth Aid after theft of property from a commercial business in Thames.

The incident happened on Friday, the pair were caught by police and the stolen property returned, a police spokeswoman said.

Police said that there have been no other reports of looting in the flood-affected Coromandel area.

Thames township and nearby villages are recovering from last week's storm, one of the worst on record for the area.

The sea level at the peak of the storm was near that of the Hauraki Plains floods of 1938, according to Waikato Regional Council data.

Homes, property and businesses were flooded in the extreme weather event.

The Hauraki District Council has set up a disaster relief fund after an overwhelming response from people who wanted to help those affected by the Kaiaua coast storm event.

Communities to benefit will include Kaiaua, Waharau, Whakatiwai and Pūkorokoro/Miranda.

'Locals have shown incredible resilience and community spirit during and after the flooding, but there is still a long road ahead. The fund is a practical way others who may wish to can help,' Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga said.

'This area has experienced flooding before, but in all my years in local government and as mayor, I've never seen anything like this,' he said.

'The coastline is completely changed. The sea has come in like a tsunami and just ripped through houses, properties and farmland. Some people have lost everything. It's heartbreaking.'

Tregidga is contributing $2000 from his discretionary fund to kick things off and will be taking a recommendation to the council for a further contribution.

A proposal for support will also be put to Central Government following a visit from Minister of Civil Defence Kris Faafoi last Tuesday.

Those wanting to donate can do so at any branch of the Westpac Bank.

To the Kaiaua Coast Disaster Relief Fund:

Account Number: 03-0435-0768043-001, account name: Kaiaua Disaster Relief Fund

The three council offices in Paeroa, Waihi and Ngatea are also accepting donations.