Devastating Nelson floods destroy neighboring friends homes

Sarah and Shawnee have both been directly impacted by the recent floods in the Nelson region. Sarah's cottage is based on a farm in Korere, approx 15 mins south of Tapawera. Shawnee located further down the farm in her home also. The normally quiet Motupiko river turned into a raging monster and burst its banks on Friday 27th June. First time since 1954. Sarah's parents who passed away several years ago, built the quaint cottage when Sarah was a child and in recent years, Sarah has made this her home. Off grid, she has spent countless hours making self sustainable gardens and teaching herself woodworking skills. This was her sanctuary. Unfortunately Sarah was unable to afford insurance. She has mud/silt nearly knee deep in her home, destroying most of her contents including a generator, batteries for solar power, gardens have been obliterated and her car is a write-off. Her caravan badly damaged.

Like Sarah, Shawnee with her two dogs, was also working towards self sustainability, off grid, spending hours on gardens to provide for herself. Shawnee's property sits lower on the farm and the mud/silt is deep in her home also, her gardens decimated. She has lost her 12v fridge, generator and batteries for solar power along with her contents. Unfortunately Shawnee is also uninsured. Both women have cats that will require temporary foster care.

As you can imagine both properties will need large machinery to help clear debris and mud.