Southern spirit helps town cope without power

Geraldine was the worst affected area in South Canterbury. Picture / Otago Daily Times.

Geraldine pensioner Marion Milne doesn't ever want to see another cheese sandwich.

Despite being without electricity for two days, Mrs Milne, 74, like many other elderly residents in the snow-plagued South Canterbury town, was remarkably chipper.

"The main thing is keeping warm. That's what it's all about for us poor old buggers," she said yesterday.

Electricity was cut to many areas in South Canterbury and North Otago after heavy snow overnight on Sunday and up to 2000 consumers were still without power last night.

Power returned to Geraldine yesterday afternoon, although patches of the town were still experiencing faults.

Enjoying both the sunshine and a hot drink on the porch yesterday, Mrs Milne, who lives in a block of pensioner flats, said she was "quite happy" although she had tired of eating sandwiches.

Hot soup delivered to her door had been gratefully received. "It's good when you've got people that worry about us," she said.

With the assistance of bed socks, a long nightgown and a polar-fleece top, Mrs Milne managed to keep warm on Monday night.

Neighbour Laurie Hughan, 78, remembers being a 17-year-old in 1945 when there was a big dump of snow in Geraldine which was "a novelty".

"It's no bloody novelty, this lot," he said.

Pat Lewis, 66, who was "the youngest around here", had been kept busy clearing snow and filling flasks.

On Monday night, she cooked mince on a gas cooker and a neighbour cooked mashed potatoes to feed those in the pensioner flats.

While she missed her electric blanket, "the cat and I cuddled up".

At the Super Value Supermarket, gumboot-wearing owner Garry Sheed said it had been a "very challenging" two days.

The supermarket was closed on Monday but reopened yesterday and was doing a busy trade, particularly in candles, light bulbs, batteries and chocolate.

Staff at McKenzie Health Care, with 45 elderly residents, reported all were warm and fed, although there had been difficulties with some staff getting to work.

With disruptions to phones and cellphones, the Geraldine Fire Service had no communication. The paging system also was not working, so volunteers had been based at the station round the clock.

Timaru Civil Defence manager Mark Bang said Geraldine was the worst affected area in South Canterbury because of the prolonged period without power.

Timaru Mayor Janie Annear and District Council chief executive Warwick Isaacs travelled to Geraldine yesterday for a first-hand look.

"It's good old southern people caring for people," Mrs Annear said.

It was being described as a "one in 60-year" event, she said.

Not coping very well without electricity, mechanic Aaron Gregan, 22, said he "couldn't have lived in the 1900s".

His biggest concern was the likely loss of a "home-game advantage" in a rugby match this weekend.

Further south at Temuka and Olive Brokenshire, 69, was among a small number of residents who were still without power in the town yesterday afternoon.

Mrs Brokenshire, who lost her power at 4.30am on Monday, was dining on cold spaghetti, tuna and sandwiches. "I've got a lovely steak in the fridge," she said mournfully.

Monday was so cold that she stayed wrapped in blankets all day but the weather was better yesterday and she ventured out to dig some snow from around her property.

PGG Wrightson stock agent Peter Jackson was keeping an eye on 2500 sheep and a handful of cattle in paddocks at the Temuka saleyards.

A lot of stock had arrived on Sunday, ready for the weekly Monday sale which was cancelled, and the animals could not be transported out.

It was a matter of feeding the stock until the trucks came to get them, hopefully today, Mr Jackson said.

Phoenix Motel owners Clive and Amanda Pattinson left Scotland nearly two years ago and did not expect "Scottish weather" in Temuka.

They had to contact expectant guests and turn them away on Monday, after extensive damage to downpipes, spouting and guttering.

"We're losing money," Mr Pattinson said.

In Timaru, the streets were quiet and few shops were open as snow was quickly turning to dirty slush.

At Hervey Motors, the Nissan and Holden dealership in Sefton St, damage was being assessed following a roof collapse.

Weather latest

Between 1000 and 2000 people were still without electricity last night in North Otago and South Canterbury.

Between 8000 and 10,000 phone lines were down, mainly n the same area.

Some communities in the Waimate and Mackenzie districts remained virtually cut off from the outside world.

Today's outlook is for cold and showers in the North Island, with another cold front bringing more snow to the country on Friday.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES