5 minutes clearing kerb drains today could stop your street flooding tonight
Kia ora Auckland,
One blocked kerb drain can flood an entire street in a heavy downpour. Five minutes clearing leaves off the inlet outside your house today could save your neighbours' garages and ground floors tonight when Vaianu hits.
Those horizontal slots and metal grates in the gutter are where stormwater enters the underground network. Mid-autumn, they're carpeted in leaves. When they block, the water has nowhere to go but up over the kerb, across the footpath, and into garages and ground floors. Auckland Council's Healthy Waters team specifically flag autumn leaf fall as a major challenge for the network.
What you can do: Walk to the kerb. Look for the horizontal inlet slots and any metal grates in the gutter. Pull away leaves, sticks, and litter. That's it. If your neighbour's away or elderly, do theirs too.
Surface debris only. Don't lift grates or reach into drains. Stay aware of traffic when clearing at the kerb. If it looks structurally blocked or already underwater, report it to Council (details below).
Reporting and resources
This aligns with Auckland Emergency Management's official advice ahead of Vaianu (OurAuckland, 9 April).
- Life or property in danger: Call 111
- Blocked drain on public road: Auckland Council on 09 301 0101
- Flooding on a highway/motorway: Waka Kotahi on 09 969 9800
- Burst water main flooding: Watercare on 09 442 2222 (or free text 3130)
- Check your flood risk: Auckland Council Flood Viewer
- Latest weather and warnings: MetService or Auckland Emergency Management
- General preparedness: getready.govt.nz