Kerikeri devastated: one dies

Press, 21 March 1981, Page 1

Kerikeri devastated: one dies

A centre of New Zealand’s earliest settlement, the Kerikeri Stone Store Basin, has been devastated and a woman has died in the worst floods recorded in the district’s history, says the Press Association from Whangarei. She was PEGGY CHRISTOPHER, aged 63, married, of Kerikeri.

Mrs Christopher was swept to her death at sea in the early hours of yesterday morning. A gaping hole was ripped into her home near the Waipapa boat landing three kilometres east of Kerikeri and a seven-hour search led to the discovery of her body several kilometres away at Doves Bay on the Kerikeri inlet about 1.40 p.m. Fears were held that others may have died in the same 'household until it was established that Mr Christopher was visiting the • Rotorua district overnight. Mr Allan Gilbert, whose house was, washed away by the floodwaters, clung to its, roof as it 'swept out

into the Keriken Inlet and managed, to scramble onto a .passing boat-Holiday-makers in cabins near the waterfront also took to the roofs to escape the rushing flood waters. They were forced to spend several uncomfortable hours exposed to the weather as the tide of water pouring past their perches prevented rescuers reaching them. A state of civil emergency was ‘declared as the first full appraisals of the devastation left by the receding waters were made at dawn. The emergency stayed in effect until 4.10 p.m. when all the residents in the district had been accounted for. The disastrous flood struck the Waipapa River and the Kerikeri River basin about 1 a.m., rising to a peak over the next

two. hours and carrying all before it as it surged to the Kerikeri Inlet. A total of 265 mm of rain was recorded in the area in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday. The torrential downpour closed main highways and arterial routes, in many cases covered by two metres of water, and it was not until mid-morning that appraisals of the damage could be established. Two houses near the Waipapa landing were swept away completely and six other houses in the same area were substantially damaged by the flood waters. The occupants were unable to return to their homes last evening. Residents perched on the rooftop of a block of four flats for almost six hours until a rescue could be made.

An elderly man, who had sought sanctuary on the roof of hh house, was rescued as the roof structure swept towards the sea. A woman and her husband sheltered inside the roof of their home until rescued at 4 a.m. They had been asleep when the flood struck. “There was a sudden crash and a wall of water swept through the windows. Within seconds the water was to the ceiling,” the woman said.

“When my face was only inches away from the ceiling my husband grabbed me and forced my head under the water. We had to swim underwater to the door to get out,” she said. “It was terrifying. It was pitch black and the water was swirling about. We got to the stairs and then to the upper level of the

house but the water followed us. “For three hours we sat on the rafters in the ceiling with the water just below us and used insulating batts to keep warm,” she said. “I wanted to go back for my little dog but my husband stopped me. We could hear the sound of voices and see torches moving about but it was 4 a.m. before they could get in to us,” she said. “We came within seconds of losing our lives.” The normally tranquil Kerikeri River was raised 10 metres above its usual low level.

The waters receded during the morning. The water supply to Kerikeri was cut and emergency water was brought in by tanker to service the town. Schools were closed for the day

and also the mooring areas at Waipapa Landing and at the Stone Store Basin. Dozens of yachts and motor launches were adrift and at least six small vessels are believed to have sunk and more than 20 were substantially damaged. Six motor-vehicles were swept away by the flood and another dozen were damaged. Household damage is believed to be in excess of $750,000. ; Assessments of stock losses were still being made last evening. One farmer at Waipapa lost stock valued at $20,000. The huge .clean-up continued throughout yesterday and arrangements were made to house and feed the eight families left homeless. : \ . In other Bay of Islands areas the storm caused l£ss disruption.

Older residents said yesterday that it was the worst flood in memory. One woman who has lived in Kerikeri for 21 years said the river was running at least five metres higher than she had ever seen before. Petrol pumps on the landing adjacent to the Kerikeri landmark, the Stone Store, were submerged and the water lapped to the door of the store itself. Next door, the historic Kemp House had a metre of water through it and has . been substantially damaged. ? Cars caught in the path of the flood also suffered. Several were swept against houses, and others moved up to 100 metres by the floodwaters. A naval unit at Dargaville for. the Northland’festival celebrations was sent to Kerikeri to help with rescue work.

Camping grounds at Haruru Falls were still under water ;at noon, and a log fam along the Waitangi River threatened ; boats moored : in the river basin.