Mayoral fund set up to provide direct storm aid

Mayor Sheryl Mai. PICTURE/Michael Cunningham

One mayoral relief fund has been set up with another on the way to provide direct aid to Northlanders badly affected by last week's storm.

The Far North District Council set up a emergency relief fund yesterday while Whangarei District Council was to set one up tomorrow. The funds were to provide vital aid to those hit by flooding and damage caused by the storm that dumped 524mm of rain at Puhipuhi over four days and winds of up to 167km/h.

The Government has kick-started the fund with $90,000 for the FNDC and $10,000 for WDC, with the councils set to match those amounts. They are also calling on individuals and businesses to contribute to the funds.

Details of how to donate will follow in tomorrow's Advocate and on our Facebook page.

Meanwhile, anyone in the Far North whose home is flooded or who urgently needs accommodation, food, heating, clothing or medical supplies should call the Far North District Council on 0800 920 029.

The number for Whangarei is 0800 932 463 and WDC spokeswoman Ann Midson said council staff were yesterday afternoon going door-to-door in flood-hit areas assessing individual needs of property owners.

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group says there were no issues with food supplies reaching the region. Spokesman Graeme MacDonald said while a radio report yesterday suggested storm-related damage to the region's roading network meant food supply issues into the mid-North were worsening, that was not the case.