A local woman is doing her bit to help the Westport community by arranging for crucial supplies to be delivered to the flood-torn town and she is appealing to Wanaka residents for help.

She’s asking people to consider loaning their dehumidifiers and wet and dry vacuum cleaners to Westport residents.

Westport is one of the West Coast towns worst hit by last weekend’s flooding, a ‘one in one hundred year’ event which saw hundreds of people displaced after water rushed through their homes in a weather event that mobilised the NZ Defence Force for evacuation assistance. 

The flooding has caused extensive damage to property, and West Coast Emergency Management said 89 houses have suffered severe or irreparable damage and another 400 have moderate damage. More than 150 people are at evacuation centres in Westport.

Wanaka local Beverley Hopgood said her friends in Westport have been affected by the floods, losing access to their home.

“They told me about their experience and how hard it is and the reality of losing a home,” she said. “This family might not even be able to stay in Westport.”

And Beverley’s own Westport property, which she plans to move to in the future, was also one of just five on her street which wasn’t affected by flood.

The personal connections spurred Beverley into action and she is arranging for supplies to be sent up to Westport.

Because many homes are currently uninhabitable and floodwaters have not completely receded, wet and dry vacuums (vacuums which can clean up wet spills) and dehumidifiers are the most helpful thing to send, Beverley said, and she has asked members of the community to help out if they can. 

She will arrange for the loaned items to be returned to their Wanaka owners.

“Even if I got two more dehumidifiers that would really help,” she said. 

Beverley has been encouraged by support offered and she has received offers of assistance from Wastebusters, The Sharing Shed and individuals.

Beverley’s supplies will be sent to Westport on Monday (July 26). If you can help, give her a call on 021435542.

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, the Buller Mayoral Relief Fund is now open for donations which will support residents facing the massive cleanup effort.

Donations can be made to the Buller Mayoral Relief Fund bank account number: 03-1354-0583471-00.

PHOTO: NZ Defence Force