Waimarama Evacuation In Storm

Having your first child in theory is meant to be a planned and rehearsed event with bags packed and a drive to the hospital. However for Emma and Brendon Dawson the timing of the birth of their first child, Zoe was an interesting adventure.

In late April, Emma and Brendon were living at Waimarama.  Emma was 10 days overdue with her pregnancy when heavy flooding caused mayhem along the coastal region of Hawke’s Bay with evacuations and road closures.

Civil Defence were concerned about Emma being heavily pregnant and made a decision to move her to Jarks Cafe on the other side of the Waimarama River. 

Emma said it was quite scary knowing she wasn’t going to get back home after she went to Jarks Cafe.  Though in hindsight it was lucky they did leave as the Waimarama bridge became impassable due to surging waters shortly after they had crossed over.

After discussions with Police, Civil Defence then made the decision to evacuate Emma from the area when there was a break in the weather.   The rescue helicopter was despatched at 12.55pm.

Emma was moved to the Waimarama Fire Station and waited for the rescue helicopter to arrive.  Unfortunately Emma’s husband, Brendon was not able to go on the flight due to an unexpected elderly dialysis patient being pickup on the way.  On route the rescue helicopter crew had been waved down by people outside a house.   

Emma’s heart dropped when it was discovered that Brendon was not able to accompany her on the flight as she thought that he would miss the birth of their child.     

“The crew made me feel at ease reassuring me that Brendon would do all he could to make it to town somehow.” said Emma.  

Emma didn’t realise that her husband would end up having his own adventure trying to get into Hastings.  Brendon managed to ride a quad bike part of the way before it was swamped in a river; he caught a ride on a farmer’s tractor; walked 2km up hills and then convinced nearby road workers in a 4x4 to give him a ride to the Hospital.

After a bumpy ride in the rescue helicopter, Emma was assessed by hospital medical staff and was given the all clear in the afternoon.  She then went into labour the next morning at 2am and Zoe Dawson arrived at 8am. 

“In hindsight we are very lucky there was a break in the weather and we were able to be evacuated by the rescue helicopter that day.  It ended up only being 12 hours before I went into labour with Zoe”.  

The next day the Rescue Helicopter was used to take equipment to help restore telecommunications to the area and also helped to evacuate people from Kairakau Beach in Central Hawke’s Bay.