West Coast residents and officials are continuing to grapple with the enormity of the cleanup after floodwaters raged through the region.
In Westport, 89 properties have severe or total damage, and 400 homes have sustained moderate damage so far. Photo: supplied
More than 2000 flood damaged homes have been assessed and most are safe to return to.
So far, 89 properties have severe or total damage, and 400 homes have sustained moderate damage.
A community hub has been set up so residents can get medical, housing, insurance, animal welfare and financial advice and support.
Chontelle Murphy has been busy trying to help her elderly friends and neighbours in Westport since the floods.
"I was searching evacuation centres to find Alma first just because she had no family here and I'd seen on Facebook so I found her first. And then I found these other guys here and I've just run around and got what I can where I can, done washing just to help clean up, take them to their homes.
"I've done seven trips to the supermarket alone yesterday afternoon. Just whatever you can do you know."
Ninety-year-old Alma was safely back at home with food in her cupboard and her fire on, Murphy said.
Close to 100 people are at the newly opened evacuation centre at Westport South School - where she has been volunteering - with more at the Kiwi Holiday Park and the Carters Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.
"There's a lot of crying. You know, it's emotionally draining. But you know what: people are just, they're tired, they've got nowhere to go to bed. So, yes, keep going.
"You want to help and the only way you make a difference is to work hard and it won't last forever. So there's plenty of time to sleep next month isn't there?
"Today is important and just to give hugs, to talk to people, make them a cup of tea, just makes a world of difference today."
Murphy's home escaped the worst of the flood damage - her underfloor pink Batts are sodden and she has lost everything in her shed.
The community was rallying together to support each other, she said.
"They're so strong and resilient in this town. It's beautiful. We're so lucky but unlucky. So just amazing people are so brave and so strong.
"I know we don't have a choice but just everyone's helping and donating and you just see movement everywhere, No-one's sitting and wallowing in the self pity which they deserve because they've lost their home. So I'm so proud of everyone."
A soldier from Burnham helps a boy into an army truck amid Westport evacuations on Saturday. Photo: NZ Defence Force
Lots of bedding donations
Fellow volunteer Janine Nel said they were trying to make people as comfortable as possible.
"Sleeping arrangements are pretty good. I'm surprised because some people have got proper beds that they can sleep on. We try and get the elderly people that are struggling decent beds to sleep on. We've been given so many mattresses and blankets," Nel said.
"Unfortunately it's not home, but we've tried to make it as comfortable as possible."
They would need to find different accommodation before school goes back next week, she said.
Hospital awaits multiple checks
The flooding forced the evacuation of Buller Hospital with 11 patients and equipment in tow.
West Coast DHB chief executive Dr Peter Bramley said it was an unsettling time for patients, but they set up a make-shift ward in Club Buller.
The hospital itself was OK, he said.
"Unfortunately, the underground was completely flooded and that took out our boiler, which provides both heating and hot water which are both essential for a hospital setting," Bramley said.
"So as soon as that water's cleared and the generators are back up and running, and the electrics have been checked, then we'll be back in action but we anticipate that will probably take three or four days at least before we can move back in."
At least 16 hospital staff have been severely impacted by the floods.
The DHB was doing what it could to support them, he said.
The DHB's general manager Philip Wheble said vaccinations were put on hold during the flooding.
"We postponed the clinic this week, but we're really keen to continue to move forward on that. So certainly in terms of northern Buller, that is still going ahead.
"But for Westport itself, what we're looking at is once we're able to move back into this facility, free up the Covid clinic that we have here, we will kick right back into doing the vaccinations here."
Roading, sewage pipes priority in Marlborough
Further up the South Island, Marlborough is preparing for the mammoth task of clearing the debris scattered around the region.
Queen Charlotte Drive and a number of other local roads remain closed or damaged by the torrential rain.
A section of Queen Charlotte Drive in Marlborough. Photo: Facebook / Marlborough District Council
Marlborough Civil Defence controller Richard McNamara said they were trying to urgently repair smashed sewage pipes.
"A lot our ground is so saturated and a lot of stop banks [are] extremely wet and if they're subject to further heavy flooding, it could well be an issue."
While the cleanup is underway in both regions, it's slow going and won't be an easy task.