26 Jul 2023

Auckland's flood costs soar, residents call for clarity

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 26 July 2023

Flood affected West Auckland residents want clarity from the council about the status of their homes , six-months on from the Anniversary weekend event. Some are facing foreclosure on mortgages, unable to settle with insurers while they wait for category risk assessments, and meanwhile living in temporary accommodation - some paying rent as well as their mortgage. Auckland Council's emergency relief fund has been vastly oversubscribed, with more than $16 million in requests for help unmet. Meanwhile, a new Auckland Council estimate is that the cost of the region's devastating flooding earlier this year could reach $4 billion, up from an earlier estimate of $1.2 billion. Kathryn speaks with Morgan Allen, spokesperson for the group West Auckland is Flooding, and Todd Niall, Stuff's senior reporter covering Auckland.

Flooding at a property on O'Donnell Avenue in Mount Albert after a night of downpours.

Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida