Key Takeaways
- The storm that swept through Invercargill in October has cost the local council approximately $2.4 million in damages.
- The city’s 150-odd parks and reserves were severely affected, with an estimated $930,538 in damages.
- The council expects that much of the cost will not be recoverable through insurance and plans to debt-fund the shortfall through a five-year loan.
- The storm caused widespread damage, including downed trees, power lines, and torn roofs, resulting in thousands of power outages.
- The council is working to repair damaged facilities, including street lights, traffic signals, and council-owned buildings, to ensure the community’s safety and prioritize their needs.
Introduction to the Storm Damage
The city of Invercargill was hit hard by a storm in October, which caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure and facilities. The storm resulted in a local state of emergency being declared, with gales causing widespread damage and thousands of power outages. The Invercargill City Council has been working to assess the damage and develop a plan to recover from the storm. According to a recent report, the storm has cost the council approximately $2.4 million, with the city’s parks and reserves being particularly affected.
Assessing the Damage
The council’s initial financial impacts report revealed that the city’s 150-odd parks and reserves had been hit hard, with an estimated $930,538 in damages. This figure does not include the cost of tree replanting, which will be an additional expense. The report also noted that close to $300,000 is needed to repair damage to street lights and traffic signals, with a further $294,687 earmarked to repair damaged roofs and windows at council-owned buildings, including Splash Palace. The council’s chief executive, Michael Day, stated that the amount of damage inflicted on the city’s facilities and infrastructure was significant and outside of their control.
Recovery Efforts
The council is working to repair the damaged facilities and infrastructure, with a focus on prioritizing the community’s safety. Day stated that the costs associated with undertaking this work are unavoidable, as the council needs to ensure the community’s safety is prioritized. The council is working with insurance assessors to confirm how much coverage they have, but they expect that much of the cost will not be recoverable through insurance. As a result, the council plans to debt-fund the shortfall through a five-year loan. The council’s employees have been working hard to carry out the repairs, with 525 hours of work tallied up at Emergency Management Southland between October 23 and November 7.
Impact on the Community
The storm has had a significant impact on the community, with many residents affected by the damage and power outages. The council’s facilities, such as Splash Palace, are a lifeline for many people in the community, and the council is working to repair them as quickly as possible. Day stated that the council is working as hard and as fast as they can to carry out the repairs needed, to get Invercargill and Bluff back to normal. The council’s efforts to recover from the storm are ongoing, and they are committed to prioritizing the community’s safety and needs.
Conclusion
The storm that swept through Invercargill in October has had a significant impact on the city, with approximately $2.4 million in damages. The city’s parks and reserves were severely affected, and the council is working to repair damaged facilities and infrastructure. While the council expects that much of the cost will not be recoverable through insurance, they are committed to prioritizing the community’s safety and needs. The council’s efforts to recover from the storm are ongoing, and they are working to get Invercargill and Bluff back to normal as quickly as possible.