Floods: Christchurch woman offers Bay of Plenty residents words of support

Jo Byrne knows a lot about floods.

Her family home in Christchurch flooded four times. The first flood happened hours after the 2011 devastating Canterbury earthquake in the area known as the Flockton Basin.

Her house flooded in June 2013, and again in March 2014. The 2014 flood was described by officials as a one in 100-year event.

Liquefaction and flooding to streets and houses in the North New Brighton area following aftershocks from the 2011 earthquake. Photo / Christchurch Star

Ironically, on the day of the March flood, the mother of two children found out her house was destroyed by flood water after a counselling session on anxiety caused by floods.

Ms Byrne counts herself lucky, because she had "good insurance." However, she says flood-affected residents in the Bay of Plenty will require long-term community support when it comes to their mental recovery.

She says it can be particularly tough for young children.

Image 1 of 15: The streets of Edgecumbe were turned into canals. Picture / Andrew Warner.