Flooding damage around the Tolaga Bay area of Gisborne meets the criteria for a medium scale event, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor and Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri announced today.

Download this sheet for details on taking care of yourself, your family, your animals and your business.

Update from Rotorua Lakes Council: Rural properties on bore water

Septic tanks are a potential source of faecal contamination to flood waters and it is possible for surface water to travel down the outer casing of a bore into groundwater.

If your drinking water supply is from a bore and there was flood water around the borehead, then there is a risk that your bore water might be contaminated. If this is the case then please boil your water before drinking and have your water tested to confirm whether your water supply is safe.  

Rotorua Lakes Council's laboratory can test your drinking water to determine the presence of Ecoli, which is an indicator of faecal contamination, free of charge to those affected by the storm. To arrange a sample, collect a bottle from the lab at the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Te Ngae Road or contact Council on 07 348 4199 for more information.

http://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-services/CDrecoveryproject/Pages/Rural-areas.aspx 

Other useful contacts and information

 Rotorua Lakes Council helpline: 0800 020 001

 Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254

 Ministry for Primary: Industries (Animal Welfare): 0800 00 83 33

 Rotorua SPCA: 07 349 2995

 EQC: https://www.eqc.govt.nz/about-eqc/our-publications/factsheets/storm-damage.

 Your insurer, bank, advisors and accountant.

 Bay of Plenty Regional Council: 0800 884 880: www.boprc.govt.nz

 Waikato Regional Council:0800 800 401: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz

 DairyNZ: 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969)

 Fonterra for milk collection issues / special collection arrangement 0800 656568

 Federated Farmers: 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)

IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 111

After a flood or storm

* Continue to listen to your local radio station for civil defence instructions.

* Help others if you can, especially people who may require special assistance.

* 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. 

* If a boil water notice is in place, follow steps to sterilize dairy cleaning equipment

* Ensure stock and domestic animals have food, water, and shelter where necessary, and are secure. Ensure that all stock injuries are promptly attended too, after human needs are meet.

* Look for and report broken utility lines. Treat all lines as live.

* If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes. Lodge insurance claims as soon as possible.

* Assess damage to water supply and reticulation systems. Which troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?

* Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts and fences. What clearing away of flood debris is needed?

* Assess damage to pastures, the depth and type of silt.

* Assess available non-flooded pastures and other undamaged feed reserves.

* Use the resources available. Contact local council civil defence flood relief co-ordinator, industry groups, Federated Farmers, Rural Support Trusts, Rural Women NZ, or other resource providers. 

* Please accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.

Dairy NZ advice for farmers without power:

• Cows can go several days without being milked provided they are well fed and watered
• When power returns, ensure cows are milked out completely
• For further advice;  www.dairynz.co.nz/farm/adverse-events/

Useful sites and numbers:

* Civil Defence website https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

* Your local Rural Support Trust to update your information or ask for help for you, a partner, family member, worker or neighbour: 0800 RURAL HELP (0800 787 254)  www.rural-support.org.nz

*Animal welfare https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/animal-welfare/animals-in-emergencies/

*Federated Farmers Feedline https://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Adverse_Events_Farmer_Support_and_Feedline.aspx

* Your local council website and facebook page