24 MARCH 2016

Red Cross Response Teams Responding in Franz Josef

New Zealand Red Cross emergency management teams are in Franz Josef providing support to the local community after a state of emergency was declared this morning.

Two teams of Red Cross emergency response volunteers from Greymouth and Christchurch were deployed in the early hours of the morning. They are supporting people affected by the flooding, including many tourists who fled to the civil defence centre in the middle of the night.

The teams will assist the Civil Defence centre as required, continue to support the local community with the clean-up, providing relief supplies and giving a helping hand where it is needed.

The Red Cross Disaster Welfare Support Team truck is also on-site. These are specialist mobile support trucks that hold welfare centre set-up equipment including stretchers, mattresses and blankets for 140 people, basic food and toiletries for volunteers, medical supplies, an AED, individual and centre hygiene sets, lighting and telecommunication sets.

The Waiho River broke its banks at 11.50pm on Wednesday after heavy rain in the region, closing SH6 and flooding nearby buildings and carparks. Approximately 256 tourists and residents were evacuated overnight.

New Zealand Red Cross is continuing to monitor the situation, with teams on standby across the country. The teams have been stood down in Motueka, but are available to respond and support civil defence if necessary.

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