Fonterra Steps in to Help Flooded North Islanders
NEW ZEALAND – A dairy processor is helping clear up in the aftermath of the North Island’s worst-ever flood.
22 June 2015
1 minute read
Dairy giant Fonterra is offering the expertise of its employees to assist authorities in addressing the wide-spread destruction across the Taranaki and Whanganui areas following this weekend’s downpour.
Fonterra’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) was deployed this morning to help in water pumping, general clean-up, stock moving and temporary fencing as part of a flood recovery process expected to take over a month.
Metservice said the "major storm" brought rain to many parts of the country on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Fonterra is contacting farms in worst-hit areas to see who needs support after road and bridge closures have followed a "one in eighty five years" event.
Media has described the destruction as “worse even than the North Island flooding of 2004”, which saw NZ$140 million claimed in insurance.
The New Zealand Herald reported costs to be in the millions, with hundreds of people unable currently homeless.
The Herald added: “Building assessments of affected properties will begin today, and the council said it would focus on the recovery for the region's rural areas.”
This morning, the Civil Defence lifted the state of local emergency on the Whanganui area.
Michael Priestley
News Team - Editor
Mainly production and market stories on ruminants sector. Works closely with sustainability consultants at FAI Farms
