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Damage and losses resulting from this month's severe storm and flooding in the Far North are estimated to be between $44 million and $49 million.
As well as repair costs to damaged infrastructure, property, utilities and the environment, the Far North District Council's recovery team says up to 400 businesses - including farms - have taken losses of about $6 million.
It estimates a multiplier effect on the wider regional economy could amount to another $12 million.
Damage to council roads is put at $6 million, with 80 per cent of repair costs expected to be involved in fixing underslips beneath road surfaces.
In more than 30 places, the road width has been reduced by big slips underneath roads. Such slips can continue for some time after heavy rain and flooding.
Most road damage was in the northern part of the district, where 70 roads were closed for varying periods during and after July 10 because of falling trees, floods, landslips and damaged bridge approaches.
Council spokeswoman Alison Lees says more than $4 million in slip repair work is still not completed from storm flooding in May last year, and in February and March this year.
Even with an estimated 75 per cent subsidy from Land Transport NZ for this month's flooding, the council faces a serious funding shortfall.
Recovery manager Trevor Norton says a regional economic impact assessment of the storm's aftermath may be drawn up because of its severity and widespread effect on the whole district.
It would be based on returns of impact assessment forms being distributed through local business associations, farmers' groups and other organisations.
Mr Norton is encouraging people, especially from rural areas, to return their forms so preliminary impact estimates can be finalised. Forms are also available on the Far North council's website and from council service centres.
It estimates long-term environmental mitigation work - removing obstructions and blockages in rivers, deepening or widening streams and raising some buildings - could cost between $5 million and $10 million.
Council data, shows at least 50 uninsured households and businesses have suffered storm damage.
Recovery work is focusing on infrastructure and road repair, help for about 150 people temporarily not able to live in their homes, data collection, flood mitigation measures and Task Force Green recruitment for clean-up work.
At least half of those displaced from their homes have unsanitary conditions because of failed septic tank systems. Houses must be cleaned, disinfected and dried out before being reoccupied.
