Photo: Supplied / NZ Defence ForceThe government has pledged $300,000 dollars to help the sodden Buller district, as 1000 people in Westport are unable to return home. A further $100,000 will be provided to the Marlborough District, which has also been hit hard by flooding. Alongside that the event has been classified a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking another $200,000 for flood-affected farmers and growers across the West Coast and Marlborough regions. Photo: Defence ForceClose to 1000 people spent the night in evacuation centres in the Buller district, and at least 100 homes have been flooded. Soldiers are helping local emergency staff to identify and cordon off flood-damaged parts of the town as hundreds of evacuees wait to hear when they can return home.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 18, 2021 03:56 UTC