Wairoa Mayor Craig Little on his late-night flooding state of emergency declaration: ‘It just kept coming’

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little made the call to declare a state of emergency as the town faced rising floodwaters and a looming high tide. The decision was prompted by the Wairoa River breaching its banks, impacting at least 14 homes that were subsequently yellow-stickered. Little described the situation as one where "it just kept coming," indicating the relentless nature of the flooding. Emergency services were already strained when the declaration was made, highlighting the severity of the event. The mayor emphasized that the decision was straightforward given the circumstances, particularly with the high tide approaching and the river's overflow. The article notes that the flooding occurred late, adding to the urgency of the situation. The immediate aftermath saw significant damage, with homes requiring assessment and marking due to the floodwaters. The mayor's statement underscores the challenging conditions faced by the community and the swift response required from local authorities to manage the emergency.

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It just kept coming