How one couple became much more than flood victims

Within an hour the couple’s entire back yard was flooded and water was starting to creep into the house. The Gore Fire Service arrived and much to the couple’s horror they were told they would need to evacuate their home immediately and given 15 minutes to collect anything they could carry with them.

The couple left their home with just two duffel bags and their dog. ”As we walked out of the house, I remember thinking ‘this is like something out of a movie’. The water was up to our waist by that point,” Amber says.

For most people in this situation, their focus would understandably be on protecting themselves, but not this couple. Luke, a local DJ at the Hokonui radio station in Gore, had a co-worker pick them up and take them directly to the radio station.

This became the base for the couple for the next 72 hours. By 6pm that day Emergency Management Southland had issued an emergency mobile alert and evacuation notice and Amber and Luke had become the local source for channelling information updates, community support messaging and breaking news.

“We were interviewing people on the ground in affected areas, getting Civil Defence messages out, sharing information locals provided and letting people know where to get help, says Luke.

“The whole reason I got into radio was to connect with people. Not everyone has internet and in an emergency situation the radio can be a great source of information and comfort. People on the other end knew we were there for them and they were going to be ok.”

Now that the water has receded the cleanup has begun. While Luke and Amber say they feel really lucky to have been able to support their community through this time, they are humbled by the support they received as well.

“Amber and I could not have gotten through all of this without the support of all our friends especially Chris Giles who was driving tractors through the water to keep the station running.”

You can read the full Envirosouth magazine online here.