The organisations involved in responding to the severe weather over the West Coast this weekend have done a “fantastic” job, Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan said.

Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate due to strong rains and flooding. Return-to-home orders have been issued, and many locals now face the task of cleaning up and rebuilding damaged property.

Allan mentioned West Coast Emergency Management and Buller Emergency Management, as well as their supporting agencies, as those that drove the response. Personnel from the NZ Defence Force, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and Waka Kotahi provided assistance.

The insurance industry also pitched in, with AA Insurance deploying extra staff on call to support its affected customers.

“Staff and resources were surged in quickly, with great support from other regions and agencies,” Allan said. “We were poised with boots and equipment on the ground well before the weather hit, and those who had to evacuate had plenty of time to get ready. The response is now focused on enabling locals to return to their homes after yesterday’s evacuations in Westport and ensuring the wellbeing of the affected communities.”

The West Coast has yet to fully recover from the July storm that resulted in 5,207 claims and over $122 million in insured losses, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand.

“We recognise that this is another setback to a community that is already in the midst of a long recovery following the July 2021 flooding,” Allan said. “I just want to assure the people of Buller that we know there’s a long and tough road ahead of you, and the government is here for the long haul.”