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Cyclone Vaianu may be gone but Aucklanders’ vigilance won’t be forgotten. Now that all weather warnings across the region have expired, Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) has thanked the public for helping ensure the storm’s impact was minimal.
Compared to other parts of the North Island that received a heavy battering of wind and rain, Auckland fared well. Warnings taken seriously and people did the right things to plan and prepare, says Sarah Le Claire from AEM.
“While it might feel like it was unnecessary, the exact path of a cyclone is hard to predict, and we needed to prepare for the worst. Thankfully, for us in Auckland, that didn’t happen and our thoughts are with those communities who were more severely impacted.
Impacts across Auckland were relatively light, with minor surface flooding and isolated slips reported and no habitable floor flooding reported. In total, 51 people made use of the Civil Defence Centres.
“With the threat of Cyclone Vaianu now over, we’ve been able to close these centres,” Le Claire says. “A huge thanks to our team who have staffed [them] and looked after those who needed a place to stay warm, dry and sheltered from the rough weather.
“We would also like to thank the community-led centres and marae who opened their doors to support their communities. Thankfully not all needed to open.”
Auckland Council’s Contact Centre received fewer callouts than expected.
The council’s Healthy Waters team received 51 calls relating to stormwater, including catchpits and blockages, and the council fielded approximately 70 reports of tree-related issues.
While the damage was minor, preparations for this storm could be beneficial ahead of the next, Le Claire adds.
“For those of you who didn’t end up opening those water bottles or spare batteries, just keep them in your kit for next time.”
