Wairoa flooding

2024 - 6 - 26

Contractor Reveals Battle Against Wairoa River Flooding

Flood management - Hawke's Bay Regional Council - Natural disasters - Wairoa flooding

A contractor shares the struggles of opening the river bar too late, causing worse flooding in Wairoa.

In a recent revelation, a contractor involved in managing the Wairoa River flooding situation expressed frustration over the delayed opening of the river bar. The contractor described the effort as a 'losing battle,' citing the challenges faced in clearing a channel to release the rising Wairoa River water. By the time they received approval to open the river bar, the flooding had worsened, leading to heightened damages in the area.

The impact of the delayed action on opening the river bar highlights the importance of timely decision-making in flood management. The contractor's account sheds light on the complexities and difficulties faced during emergency situations like the Wairoa River flooding event. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for efficient protocols and swift responses to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

Ultimately, the delayed intervention in opening the river bar underscores the critical role of proactive measures in disaster prevention and management. It underscores the significance of anticipatory actions in averting severe consequences of natural calamities. The contractor's experience serves as a valuable lesson in the preparedness and swift execution required to address and minimize the impact of environmental emergencies.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Wairoa flooding would have been less if river bar opened sooner ... (RNZ)

A contractor says it was a "losing battle" to clear a channel releasing rising Wairoa River water by the time they got the go-ahead.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Timeline of a flood in Wairoa: Hawke's Bay Regional Council ... (New Zealand Herald)

Wairoa's mayor says Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) could have moved earlier to clear the Wairoa River mouth before a storm hit, flooding much of the...

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