An Update from Rotarians on the Ground at Westport (courtesy of the District Governor newsletter)
Picture this ...
Picture this ...
Last month's disastrous floods caused 71 homes to be red stickered and 388 to be yellow stickered and while all red stickered homes are currently uninhabitable and some will need to be demolished, many will be repairable in time. Yellow stickered homes are all deemed repairable now.
At the peak of the flooding over 2,000 of our town's population of 4,500 people were evacuated from their homes as floodwater rose around them. Many have returned to their homes, but many are also still staying with friends and family or in limited local motel, backpacker, and motor camp accommodation.
With this large number of homes damaged, Buller District Council does not yet have a full or accurate picture of where to focus their help. However, Westport’s Flood Relief continues and Council has set up a task force that is currently going door-to-door to establish where help is most urgently needed. Amongst other things, this job will provide lists of people whose insurances will cover their rebuild needs, and more importantly will record those who are both un-insured or under-insured.
Add to this the general shortage of building supplies throughout New Zealand, a general lack of tradies, a lack of local alternative accommodation for both displaced persons, as well as employed tradies and tradies volunteering their help.
So, it’s difficult, but ...
So what can we do ....
Ever thought of a post lock down Motor home cavalcade to the West Coast to give a long weekends help in Westport? with toolbox? Are there other Clubs that might be interested? What are other ways to help the community out?