Before severe rain

· Keep an eye on weather reports and enact your plans for moving stock and supplementary feed to higher ground if needed.

· Clear gutters and drains where possible

· Have to hand a smartphone, a charger for the car, a torch, and a battery-powered radio

· Check your insurance cover details

During a flood or storm

· Keep an eye on https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ and your regional council websites/facebook or radio station

· The safety of you, your family, and workers comes first.

· Move stock to safety, shelter and water and make sure they can't wander. Are the electric fences working?

· Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities as it can help prevent damage to your home or community. Unplug small appliances to avoid damage from power surges.

· Do not attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters unless essential.

· Check power and phones. Report outages.

· Check dogs, poultry and pets.

· Check on neighbours - do they need help or can they help you?

· Check buildings at risk, feed stacks. · Use generators if necessary to keep pumps, refrigeration, electric fences and household appliances running. Flood pumps may need attention. 

Further information:

https://www.dairynz.co.nz/business/adverse-events/flood/

https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/topics/flooding

MPI Animal welfare 

Safety first

• Don't put yourself at risk from contaminated water, damaged roads, or landslides and other hazards.
• Look for and report broken power lines to your electricity provider. Treat all lines as live.
• Trees may be unstable due to saturated ground and high winds.
• Be conscious of security. Lock your car and house. Report suspicious activity to police.

Health and wellbeing

• Throw away food and water that has been contaminated by floodwater.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.

Your property

• Report flooded homes and any need for temporary accommodation to your local council.
• Assess damage to water supply and reticulation systems. Which stock water troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?
• Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts, and fences. What flood debris needs to be cleared?
• Assess damage to pastures and the depth and type of silt.
• Assess available non-flooded pastures and other unaffected feed reserves.
• Accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.
• Take photos of damage and contact your insurer.

• Your Rural Support Trust is available to call for help or info for farmers – 0800 787 254.

https://www.westlanddc.govt.nz/emergency-management