Key Takeaways:
- A severe storm in October caused widespread destruction on farms in the Clydevale area, with hundreds of trees falling and kilometers of fencing destroyed.
- The storm has resulted in a significant amount of work for farmers, with some estimating it will take at least a year to fully recover.
- Many farmers’ insurance policies do not cover fallen trees or damaged fencing, leaving them to bear the costs of repairs.
- Logging contractors are facing a backlog of work, with some estimating it could take up to two years to clear all the storm-damaged properties.
- The Clutha District Council has spent nearly $1 million on repairs and is looking to support residents with cleanup, fencing, and safety issues.
Introduction to the Storm’s Aftermath
The storm that hit the Clydevale area in October may have lasted only minutes, but its impact will be felt for a long time. For farmers like Todd and Holly McCammon, the storm has meant a significant amount of work to repair the damage to their 220-hectare sheep and beef farm. The couple watched in horror as entire shelter belts were uprooted, kilometers of fencing were destroyed, and power lines were brought down. The storm also hurled branches into paddocks, narrowly missing their stock. While no people or animals were injured, the McCammons have vowed not to plant eucalyptus trees on their property again due to the destruction they caused.
The Scale of the Destruction
The scale of the destruction caused by the storm is still being felt months later. The McCammons have spent around $25,000 on repairs so far, but estimate that this is only halfway to completing the work. Like many farmers, their insurance policy does not cover fallen trees or damaged fencing, leaving them to bear the costs of repairs. The couple is still waiting for heavy machinery to deal with the largest logs, and are juggling seasonal farm work with long days on the chainsaw and hammering in new fence posts. The storm has been a significant setback for the McCammons, and they are not alone in their struggles. Many other farmers in the area are facing similar challenges, and the community is coming together to support each other.
The Backlog of Storm-Damaged Properties
The storm has created a significant backlog of work for logging contractors like Mike Hurring. His company, Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting, has completed work at 25 properties, has six others underway, and 87 still to go. Hurring estimates that it could take up to two years to clear all the storm-damaged properties, and is concerned about people taking matters into their own hands while they wait. He has heard stories of farmers being injured while trying to clear trees themselves, and is advising people to prioritize their safety. Hurring is trying to hire more staff to help with the workload, and is prioritizing farms where timber can still be salvaged. However, he notes that some farmers have already cut their losses and are writing off the damaged trees.
The Impact on Local Farmers
The storm has had a significant impact on local farmers, who are struggling to cope with the aftermath. Simon and Camille McAtamney, who live on a 540-hectare sheep farm near Clydevale, estimate that thousands of trees have fallen in hard-to-reach areas of their forestry blocks. The couple has managed to secure a contractor to clear their shelter belts, but are still waiting for fencing repairs. They are prioritizing their work and staggering the repairs, but estimate that it will take a couple of years to fully recover. The storm has been a wake-up call for the McAtamneys, who had previously thought that they lived in a relatively benign climate. They are now taking steps to prepare for future extreme weather events, and are encouraging others to do the same.
The Community Response
The Clutha District Council has been working to support residents affected by the storm. The council’s response manager, Sharon Jenkinson, says that the cost of repairing damaged community amenities has climbed to $991,000. The council is focused on supporting residents with cleanup, fencing, and safety issues, and is looking to boost its supply of generators and battery-operated communications technology. The council is also encouraging residents to prepare for future extreme weather events, and is providing financial support through its mayoral relief fund. To date, 21 people have applied for financial support, and the fund is still open and taking donations. The council is working to help the community recover from the storm, and is taking steps to prepare for future events.
