The combined impact of a King Tide and the tropical storm just before 1pm today, Friday 5th January, has seen low lying parts of Raglan flooded. The combination known as a red-alert caused flooding in Lorenzen Bay, Puriri Street and Raglan Domain. At Raglan Wharf, the water came right to the top of the launching ramp and the docking platform was so high in the water that the ramp to it sloped up rather than down as it does normally.
In Lorenzen Bay, the launching ramp was totally flooded as the picnic became an island. The front lawn of 54 Lorenzen Bay was under water. Surfacing flooding occurred on properties near the Waikowhai Stream. A flooded WEL Networks electric power distribution pillar outside 52 Lorenzen Bay Road started caught fire with a stream of smoke coming from it and giving off a strong smell of plastic burning.
At Puriri Park, the water totally flooded the park and came right across to the property boundaries on the other side of the road. The street was blocked to cars for awhile.
The Marine Parade Road to Raglan Domain and the Raglan Kopua Holiday Park was closed due to the flooding. Staff form the Waikato District Alliance directed motorists into an alternate route on the edge of the airfield. Water came right up to the deck of the airfield bridge.
