Watch out there’s crocs on the loose
Taupō beaches took a hammering during Friday’s downpour. Photo / Dan Hutchinson
There’s a rule in journalism that if you write a story about how dry the weather has been, it will invariably rain.
And while we are not a superstitious bunch, it is completely forbidden to say things like ‘it’s been quiet hasn’t it?’ especially on a Friday afternoon.
I’m assuming this is because God follows the news religiously and acts accordingly.
That certainly seemed to be the case on Friday night when a downpour of seemingly biblical proportions passed over several Lake Taupō communities.
Having said that, I’m not sure 44mm of rain, albeit in a short space of time, could be described as biblical but the effects on the Taupō township’s stormwater system certainly made it look that way.
It is one of those tricky conundrums for all local and regional councils to consider – just how much money do you spend to avoid these situations. It’s a fairly stark cost-benefit thing sometimes, but one which a handful of unlucky residents shouldn’t have to pay for on their own.
When it comes to lightning strikes, the case for investment seems a lot clearer, thanks to Bruce Wilson of Kinloch.
Bruce proved during the same storm that a cheap pair of jandals can be the difference between life and death, although the science behind that might need to be tested under controlled conditions before you try that out for yourself.
As is usually the case with nature’s peculiarities, social media was awash with interesting videos and commentary, but the one thing I was struck by, was the sheer number of crocs that took the opportunity to escape.
Before I send the nervous ones into a panic, the crocs I’m referring to are the kind you wear on your feet.
They could be seen floating down the road, jammed in stormwater grates and even tucked into letterboxes.
In fact I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a croc was behind the flooding on Tamatea St, and the erosion along the foreshore.
Fortunately the worst of the rain (and the crocs) had disappeared in time for the big Tūwharetoa Festival on Saturday, which was a veritable feast of kapa haka.
It was also an actual feast, with about 800 hangi meals dished up. Nowhere does a hangi better than Taupō & Tūrangi, thanks in part to the natural steam vents that have provided a free source of heat for many generations.
Even the Four Square down the road does a good hangi meal, although you have to be in quick before they run out.
Anyway, I’ll leave you to digest the news on your own this week, and when you’re finished you can use it to wrap those hangi takeaways.
Take care and ngā mihi.
dan@tauponews.co.nz