Floodwater surrounded a couple's home near the Motueka River during weekend storms that hit the South Island. Pouesi and Hillary Fitisemanu operate a motorhome park from their Riwaka property. Five campers stayed Thursday night and woke up Friday morning to water under their vehicles. The couple helped evacuate most guests before conditions worsened. One motorhome remains stranded due to a dead battery.
The family moved their four sheep and two cows to higher ground Thursday as rain began falling heavily. Pouesi built a wooden pallet raft to keep his sheep out of the rising water. The animals have food but no grass remains on the flooded property. Local residents offered to care for the livestock during recovery efforts.
This flood marked the worst of five major water events the couple has experienced during 14 years at this location. Their elevated house stayed dry because council building requirements forced them to construct it above flood levels. Several vehicles suffered water damage but the main structure survived intact. The family has enough supplies stored upstairs to wait out the emergency.
Civil Defence teams continue checking damaged buildings across affected areas. Officials placed yellow warning stickers on two properties that need repairs. State Highway 6 remains blocked and 47 local roads cannot handle traffic. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell opened a relief fund with one hundred thousand dollars to help residents cover immediate costs.
The family moved their four sheep and two cows to higher ground Thursday as rain began falling heavily. Pouesi built a wooden pallet raft to keep his sheep out of the rising water. The animals have food but no grass remains on the flooded property. Local residents offered to care for the livestock during recovery efforts.
This flood marked the worst of five major water events the couple has experienced during 14 years at this location. Their elevated house stayed dry because council building requirements forced them to construct it above flood levels. Several vehicles suffered water damage but the main structure survived intact. The family has enough supplies stored upstairs to wait out the emergency.
Civil Defence teams continue checking damaged buildings across affected areas. Officials placed yellow warning stickers on two properties that need repairs. State Highway 6 remains blocked and 47 local roads cannot handle traffic. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell opened a relief fund with one hundred thousand dollars to help residents cover immediate costs.
