A state of emergency has been declared as torrential rainfall causes flooding in New Zealand’s Canterbury Plains of the South Island.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are “safe and dry,” says President Uliki M. Pongia, Church leader for the Christchurch region, including the Canterbury Plains, Ashburton and Rangiora.
Rainfall-in-Christchurch,-New-Zealand,-causes-flooding-on-May-30,-2021.--Photo-used-by-permission-Noeline-Odgers.
Rainfall in Christchurch, New Zealand, causes flooding on May 30, 2021. Photo used by permission: Noeline Odgers.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Local ecclesiastical leaders contacted individuals and families in their congregations to ensure they were secure and supported.
Latter-day Saints are encouraged to be prepared for emergencies.
President Pongia says, “One of the blessings is that they have their 72-hour kits on hand and ready.”
Noeline Odgers, Christchurch Stake Church communication director, said, “When the civil defence sirens alerted us that people one road over needed to evacuate immediately, it took but a few moments to confirm that we had all we needed on hand if we were instructed to evacuate.”
She added, “There is peace when we follow the direction of our leaders, even when the storm rages.”
Record-rainfall-south-of-Christchurch-caused-the-Ashburton-River-to-overflow-its-banks-on-the-South-Island-of-New-Zealand-on-30-May-2021-causing-extensive-damage.-Photo-used-by-permission-Noelline-Odgers
Record rainfall south of Christchurch caused the Ashburton River to overflow its banks on the South Island of New Zealand on 30 May 2021 causing extensive damage. Photo used by permission: Noelline Odgers2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Otago Daily Times reports flood warning lifted, but roads remain closed.