Post-flood recovery – Update 14

Click HERE to visit the Post-flood Recovery webpages

Watch the latest update from Council’s Civil Defence team HERE

Support for the community will remain Council’s top priority despite the decision being made not to renew the State of Emergency in place for Rotorua.

The decision not to renew the State of Emergency was made today with Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick, Civil Defence Controller Stavros Michael and Recovery Manager Andrew Bell.

“The threat to life and property has passed so the criteria for a State of Emergency no longer applies,” said Stavros Michael.

“We acknowledge that this is still an emergency situation so we are now transitioning into a dual mode of response and recovery.”

More volunteers will be arriving tomorrow to join the Council staff who have been in Civil Defence response mode for the past seven days.

The extra resources mean that the teams will be able to expand the visits to affected properties.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said that it is important for residents to know that even though the State of Emergency is no longer in place that it does not mean the Council support will end.

“This is going to be a long journey for some people and we are building an action plan to ensure that support is available throughout that time. Services will be needed by many people and we may even hear from people who have not yet registered with Council.

“Our focus will remain on helping people adjust to the changes ahead as they rebuild their lives.
“We’re all in this together, and we will be with you for the long haul, so if you haven’t already let us know if you need any kind of help, please call us toll-free on 0800 020 01”
Recovery is the period following the initial emergency response which looks at the longer term needs of the community.

A Recovery Plan is being developed using the intel from the Welfare team, building inspectors and from other agencies who are aware of property that has been damaged.

‘It’s about re-establishing the wellbeing of the community and getting people to a new normal as soon as possible,” said Council Recovery Manager Andrew Bell.

“It’s likely to take a number of months before affected residents are back to something like their normal lives and support from Council will continue until we get to that point.

“We will employ Navigators who will be the points of contact going forward for those affected by the storm and needing ongoing support. It is important that people make contact with us now so we can have that relationship going forward.”

The State of Emergency will official lapse at 5.35pm today [Sunday 6 May 2018].

Inspections and Welfare visits will continue throughout the week. Building officers have inspected at least 160 properties to date and checks will continue until the end of the week [Friday 11 May].

[ENDS]

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