Last weeks storm
The wind storm that ripped through Horowhenua last week was fearsome. In
many ways it reminded me of the 2004 floods, although this storm seemed to
affect a lot more people - whether they had a tree ripped out on the front
lawn, no power or water for several days or their shopping trip had to be
cancelled due to the Levin CBD being 'out'.
I was sitting in Parliament in Wellington feeling hopeless when the storm
began doing its damage last Wednesday and was pleased when I was able to
leave late Wednesday evening to offer support to my young family at home
without power, our farm staff and the wider community. It was an airy
feeling driving through Otaki to see it in total darkness and most of the
Levin business area also.
Having got around the district during the last few days, I have heard many
horrific stories and also witnessed the extra effort and work being put in
by those to trying to restore power, clear trees and debris, milk cows, or
go about their business. Schools and kindergartens were closed, some for
days as they had no power. Two of the saddest stories I heard were of a new
partly built home being shifted by the 130km/hr winds and a small forestry
block that had been well tended (pruned and thinned) in order to provide for
a family in their retirement absolutely destroyed. On investigating their
insurance policy, they discovered the woodlot was insured for fire, but not
wind. Demoralising stuff.
Generators have been in huge demand, as I learnt first-hand when I began the
ring-around process. I eventually found one that would enable us to milk the
cows in New Plymouth, as generators from Palmerston North down to Wellington
had been in hot demand and gone. Generators from the middle of the North
Island were heading to the Waikato and Coromandel where others were also
suffering from power outages due to the weather bombs that have hit the
country in the past week to 10 days. Businesses are now weighing up the
cost-effectiveness of purchasing a generator as a back-up option should they
suffer power outages in the future.
Both our rural and urban communities have bandied together to support one
another without power, offering a hot drink, meal or helping to clear away
debris and restore access. Those fortunate enough to have a gas BBQ or free
standing log burner were at least able to do some cooking and I'm sure
torches, candles and gas camping cookers were other items in hot demand in
the past week! Water was an issue for some without power.
I need to acknowledge the good work the Horowhenua District Council has done
in co-ordinating the recovery activities and the Electra line work staff who
have had a tough job getting power restored. The persistent rain has caused
havoc in getting the power back on, with sodden wet paddocks to contend
with.
I know the excitement my family felt when our power was restored on Friday
night. I know others are still waiting for their power to be restored and my
thoughts go to them as they soldier on. Driving around the district it is
evident for all that there is still plenty of work to do to clean up after
this storm. While we need to plant more trees to address our carbon
footprint - we should all think twice about replanting near power lines!
I wish everyone the best in their clean-up and hope the community spirit
that has pulled together in the past few days continues on. My thanks goes
to all those who have done their bit. Well done and keep up the great work.
Photo attached: National MP Nathan Guy in front of an old pine tree which
smashed onto a hayshed on their family farm at Koputaroa during last week's
storm.