Maungatapu

A home has collapsed in Tauranga and residents have been evacuated after heavy rain hit the Bay of Plenty overnight.

I am aware at the time of the call there were still people in one of the houses. "Our thoughts are with the community and affected residents on Egret Avenue. Waka Kotahi is asking travellers to avoid the area or delay a journey. they were instructed to get out of the house immediately, which they did do upon our arrival." "That's the information that I have and we still have a crew in attendance that will be liaising with council to assess the property. There was probably about 10-plus police cars, four fire trucks, three ambulances and multiple people on the street."

Children, screaming and covered in mud, were caught in the rubble of at least three homes damaged in a Tauranga landslide last night.

It was a bit nerve-racking.” In the first instance, affected residents should contact their insurance companies and check policies for emergency accommodation cover, as residents will need to pay or make arrangements with their insurers for payment for short-term accommodation. I was shocked when I went outside - one of the kids from next door was buried. I got out of bed and was standing in the rain outside my bedroom. The front door was gone, and the garage, with all our cars, including speedway cars - they are munted and toast. Griffin said the owner of the house was a hero; he was picking his three kids out of the rubble in his underwear. “I walked out of my room and turned left and there was a huge hole in the garage, full of rubble. There were kids calling for help.” Twenty-four homes have since been evacuated due to the large slip. His brother Mikaere, who was in the room next to the garage, said he was asleep and just thought it was people banging about upstairs. Vincent went to the aid of the mother from the most extensively damaged home and said she was in shock. I can’t describe the noise.

Public warned to stay away from rivers and floodwaters Heavy overnight rain has eased in Tauranga this morning, but with more rain forecast to coincide with ...

Taipari Street to Fantail Drive walkway has been closed as a precaution due to the slips at Egret Ave. [Tauranga City Council website ](https://govt.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6a999872975eb9c07f69abb70&id=29671c9987&e=745e0a8107)and [Western Bay of Plenty District Council Waka Kotahi is asking travellers to avoid the area or delay a journey. In the first instance, affected residents should contact their insurance companies and check policies for emergency accommodation cover, as residents will need to pay or make arrangements with their insurers for payment for short term accommodation. Facebook](https://govt.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6a999872975eb9c07f69abb70&id=ddb18976ba&e=745e0a8107) - Slips and fallen trees have been cleared on local walkways. Floodwaters may also be contaminated with sewerage, bacteria and chemical runoff, so we’re asking people to stay away from rivers and floodwaters for their safety.” Traffic management is on site. Thank you to all those working to keep our communities safe,” says Tauranga City Commission Chair Anne Tolley. He also advises not to go sightseeing in your car – your presence may hamper emergency work. Though the rain has eased we’re not out of the woods yet and I want to reiterate the message to please stay away from any flooded areas. The water may look calm, but those conditions can change really quickly, with devasting consequences.