Strangers became friends yesterday as members of the Mataura community pitched in to help neighbours whose homes and belongings were damaged by the flooding.
The worst-affected streets in the town were not quiet — as they had been in previous days — but were bustling with volunteers.
Alison and George Bishop have lived in Mataura for 45 years but were getting to know community members they had never met before as the clean-up began.
Mrs Bishop said having received an alert to prepare to evacuate on Tuesday evening, they were able to shift some of their belongings before the water came.
However, not all could be saved by the time they had to evacuate early on Wednesday morning.
They got all they could into their motorhome before heading to high ground.
huge task of cleaning up — thankfully, they had some help.
"I want people to know how appreciative we are of all these people," Mrs Bishop said.
In a nearby street, 83-year-old Esme Swain sat outside her garage, surrounded by her belongings.
However, she remained upbeat and cheerful while still acknowledging the grim situation she faced.
Mataura School had four classrooms damaged by floodwater, and yesterday’s mission was to get the school ready for pupils by Monday morning.
Principal Susan Dennison said everything had to be cleaned before the children were allowed back.
While she initially thought the school had avoided any major flood damage, the situation changed late on Wednesday.
"Just when we thought that danger was passing, I got a message to say water was seeping in."
While damage was assessed and solutions were found, pupils would make do with learning in the library and other classrooms, she said.
Thirty Mataura homes were damaged by floodwater, and Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said temporary accommodation was provided for affected families.
Pumping began in Mataura yesterday morning to remove water from flooded areas, and several homes were without power.
Emergency Management Southland team leader and Mataura resident Craig Sinclair spent yesterday visiting affected sites, including the school.
"The community have been amazing right from the get-go ... Fire, police, military staff, they’ve all worked really well together."
Shortly before noon, he greeted Minister for Civil Defence Peeni Henare at the Mataura Community Centre, updating him on what was being done around the town, and meeting those helping affected residents.
After that, the entourage headed to the Mataura River to see the somewhat lessened flow of water before heading to Invercargill.
There it was announced the Government would contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund.
At a press conference at Invercargill Airport, Mr Henare said he was proud of the response to the emergency.
"I think we always learn from events like this. But from volunteers to mayors ... everybody has played their role."
While all state highways were open again by yesterday, many smaller roads remained closed
or had restrictions.
A detour was made from Fortrose to Wyndham so vehicles could travel towards Invercargill. The detour began at Mataura Island Fortrose Rd.
A boil-water notice in place for Gore, Mataura and the Otama Water Supply Scheme is unlikely to be lifted before next week.
