District mayor Rob Scott described the extreme weather as the most intense he had ever experienced. A state of emergency has been extended for another week, with Emergency Management Southland urging people to continue checking on their friends, whānau, and neighbors.
PowerNet is working tirelessly to restore power to the affected areas, but around 2820 Southlanders are still in the dark. In Invercargill, mayor Tom Campbell reported that the clean-up efforts were well underway, with a focus on inspecting parks and reserves.
The council is concerned about people accessing closed parks and reserves, as trees were toppled en masse across the city. External support has been committed to Southland, with donations from the Mayoral Relief Fund and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Community events are being organized to provide support and bring people together during this challenging time. Barbecues have been held in Woodlands and Riverton/Aparima, with more events planned in Tokanui, Dipton, Ōtautau, and Mossburn.
Community hubs are open for those in need of power, internet, and showers. Additionally, a new public safety network has been made available to assist with communication during emergencies. This network offers various functions for first responders and has proven to be invaluable during the response efforts.
Despite the challenges faced by Southland, the community has shown resilience and unity in the face of adversity. With ongoing support and collaboration, the region is slowly but surely recovering from the impact of the storm.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
