Opotiki Devastated By Floods

Opotiki was declared an emergency area when it was ravaged by the worst flood in its history earlier this month.

Swirling water from the overflowing Waioeka and Otara rivers ran rampage through the town, reaching shoulder depth at its peak, and leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. Almost every house in the township was damaged to some extent.

Two lives were lost during the hectic evacuation; one, a middle-aged woman, and the other, an 11-month-old baby.

With the receding of the water, the mammoth task of cleaning up was undertaken and community services restored. Water, milk, sewerage, and communications were but a few of the necessary amenities disrupted by the disaster.