The Central Otago District Council has advised people who have incurred any damage to property after last weekend’s flash flood in Roxburgh to be in touch with their insurers.
The council announced that repairs are currently underway and freshwater tankers and portaloos have been put in place for residents to use until full services are reinstated.
The council’s building inspectors have also undertaken an initial assessment of evacuated properties, and vulnerable residents are being assisted based on their needs.
In line with this, Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive
Tim Grafton told Insurance Business it is important that people won’t remove any items or conduct any repairs that aren’t urgent before speaking to their insurer.
“Where repairs have to be made, or items have to be disposed of urgently, people should photograph the damage and contact their insurance company as soon as possible after the work has been done,” Grafton said.
He said taking photographs of the flooding and damage to property will help residents with their claims assessment, especially if they need to make emergency repairs or remove damaged or contaminated goods for health and safety reasons.
If residents are to be displaced, the
ICNZ recommended they contact their insurance company as they may be able to access temporary accommodation under their house or contents policy.
With more rain forecast for Central Otago over the coming days, the ICNZ has outlined other recovery tips that residents can use to prepare for the possibility of further extreme weather. These include:
- Do not do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property.
- Contact your insurer, or insurance adviser, as soon as possible.
- Avoid entering flood water, on foot or in a vehicle. Flood water can contain raw sewage and contaminants, can conduct electricity, mask hidden hazards, and pose a serious hazard to health. It may be deeper or moving faster than you expect.
- If water has entered the property, don't turn on your electricity until it has been inspected by an electrician.
- Do what’s necessary to make your home safe and sanitary.
- Remove and discard any water or mud-damaged goods that pose a health risk, such as saturated carpets and soft furnishings.
- Do not drive your vehicle if it has suffered water damage.
ICNZ said the extent of the insured damage for this weather event will not be known for some weeks.
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