Thousands of claims for Eketahuna quake damage

DAMAGE CONTROL: Dave Claude has been assessing the safety of houses in Eketahuna and Pahiatua after the earthquake on January 20. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA WTA090414LFEQC02

More than 5000 claims for damage caused by the magnitude 6.2 Eketahuna earthquake earlier this year have been lodged with the Earthquake Commission (EQC)

The three-month deadline for lodging claims with EQC for the January 20 quake was yesterday.

In total, 5013 claims were made.

EQC national operations manager Barry Searle said while areas closest to the epicentre, 10km north of Castlepoint, suffered the most damage, the most claims came from residents in Palmerston North.

"In this event, EQC has prioritised claims involving vulnerable persons/families, then the claims closest to the epicentre, followed by all other claims,'' Mr Searle said.

So far, 70 per cent of assessments for claims have been completed, with 234 claims settled and closed.

To date, $958,000 has been paid out, with residents from Palmerston North receiving more than $61,700, Tararua about $448,000 and those in Masterton more than $371,000, Mr Searle said.

More than $27,800 has been paid out for claims lodged in Manawatu, and over $4500 for claims from Carterton.

Number of claims from worst affected areas:

Tararua: 657

Masterton: 587

Manawatu: 448

Carterton: 87

Horowhenua: 283

Wellington city: 342

Palmerston North: 1514

Total claims: 5013

Claims by type of damage:

Damage to buildings: 72 per cent

Damage to building and contents: 12 per cent

Damage to contents only: 9 per cent

Damage to building and land: 4 per cent

Damage to land only: 2 per cent

Damage to building, contents and land: 1 per cent