Westport Flood Recovery
Westport, the West Coast town of approximately 5,000 people resembled an island recently during the devastating flood waters in July 2021 (the town was sadly hit again this year in 2022 affecting further homes).
The 2021 flood was reported to be the largest in Westport since 1926. Some 400 houses were initially “red-stickered”. The flooding left 23 per cent of Westport’s housing stock in need of repair. 71 homes were severely damaged & deemed unsafe, while a further 388 homes require significant repairs. There has been close to $90 million in insurance claims & about 140 people remain displaced from their homes with housing shortages making the recovery even more difficult.
For many these floods were not the first time their houses had been flooded and locals have discussed the long-term recovery as needing to be multi-faceted including raising housing, implementing stop banks and low-lying areas being red-zoned.
The Heat Pump People team have been over in Westport helping with the flood recovery efforts by diagnosing flood damaged heat pumps and replacing them where required.
The local residents have been extremely happy to see tradespeople coming into the town from far & wide to assist. They have welcomed one & all & are grateful for the support. Locals who have spotted our vehicles and have been made aware of our work have also asked for new heat pump installations.
The clean-up efforts will continue for some time to come & The Heat Pump People team will carry on travelling over to Westport to assist wherever possible to ensure properties have functioning heating/cooling systems.
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