Selwyn District

Neighbourhood Support Selwyn District

Neighbourhood Support and Civil Defence in Selwyn had a very busy time over winter, working together and responding to some major flooding in the district.

During July alone, the Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre was activated three times for different flooding events.

Several homes were evacuated and many more were successfully protected with sandbags to prevent the water getting in.

Neighbours worked together in our rural areas including Hororata, Springfield, Selwyn Huts, and Ladbrooks to fill and place sandbags and protect homes for each other, and for their local elderly and vulnerable people who were not able to do this for themselves. A great example of the value of connected neighbourhoods.

In late September the Selwyn Civil Defence Emergency management team went to Glentunnel and did a public education presentation called Are You Ready?

More than 50 people from the local community attended along with representatives from Fire and Emergency NZ and Police.

There were some enthusiastic discussions about what people can do to be prepared for emergency events, as these seem to be becoming more and more frequent these days.

Top tips were:

• Make a household plan including all members of your whanau, • Store some water • Get to know your neighbours, so you can support each other when these emergencies do happen.