Qualms after the storm

Flash flooding which damaged several Blenheim businesses as a storm struck without warning has sparked a call for action.

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett has called for a meeting today (Tuesday) with the town’s local business owners and operators.

Understanding the challenges they face will help work out what can be done to support them, he says.

Around 50 millimetres of rain poured down on central Blenheim within an hour. One five-minute period saw a massive 11 millimetres of rainfall.

Hail smashed onto the street, turning roads white and making conditions treacherous.

Rooves caved in and the streets were underwater as the weather bomb struck with a ferocity.

Age Concern and Volunteer Marlborough’s premises on Alfred Street has been so badly affected they cannot operate and staff are desperately looking for new offices.

Not for profit groups Citizens Advice Bureau and Workbridge also sustained significant water damage.

Manager Meg Martin says the damage was “substantial”.

“The community centre was hit particularly hard…please bear with us all as we assess and potentially relocate and replace furniture and technology.

“If there are any generous and philanthropic feeling building owners who have a large shopfront building in town that they’d like to lease to three wonderful and community oriented non-profit organisations, please get in touch.”

Several businesses had to shut their doors on Saturday including PitaPit, SPCA OpShop, Blenheim Library, Allure Hair Studio, Dolce Café and Restaurant, Hakuna Café, Specsavers, Hallensteins, Postie Plus, parts of Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000, Mitchell Sports, Pascoes the Jewellers, City Fitness and UFS Pharmacy.

But the public were quick to help in the immediate aftermath of the storm when many taking to the streets to help.

It was reassuring to see people step in to help, says Mayor Leggett, who will join forces with The Blenheim Business Association, the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, Council’s Economic Development team and other council staff to understand the challenges facing local businesses.

“I have been heartened to once again see Marlburians working together as they begin the task of cleaning up and repairing damage - supporting and helping each other to get back up and running as soon as possible,” he says.

“This was an extreme event that is expected to have a return period of over 200 years. It came without warning and our stormwater and roofing systems simply aren’t designed to withstand that amount of water in such a short space of time.

“My sympathies go out to local business owners affected by the flooding, many of whom have already done it tough this year with lockdowns and a major storm event in July.”