Quake ravaged Christchurch about to receive snow bomb

Spare a thought for the long suffering people of Christchurch this winter, many of whom are still living in damaged homes almost three years (Sept 24, 2010) after the first quake hit the small New Zealand city.

Already beset by widespread flooding (watch video) that has closed a number of schools, the Canterbury region is about to be hit by a mega snow storm predicted to be the worst in 20 years. A bitterly cold Antarctic airflow is about to sweep over much of the country.

Stuff.co.nz is reporting

“The MetService website was down for maintenance today limiting access to information about the weather.

In Auckland the expected maximum for Friday was just 10 degrees Celsius.

Blue Skies weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard said up to 20 centimetres of snow could fall to sea level in Canterbury on Thursday and Friday, with up to 40cm above 200 metres and up to 60cm above 400m.

He said this would be the biggest snowfall for the region in 20 years.

“To have it potentially last two days is quite unusual (for Christchurch) and could potentially become quite hazardous,” he said…” more here

If you’re a migrant worker about to arrive in Canterbury make sure you have pre-arranged accommodation and that it’s heated. And pack your winter woollies.

The community on the Trademe message boards is already buzzing with talk about the flooding and the earthquake forum continues to be filled with heart rending tales of hardship in Christchurch. This is just one of them, it’s hard to believe that this is still going on in a first world country three years after an earthquake. People are STILL living like these poor souls, surely this should not still be happening!

NB. Short term rents for a poor quality three bedroom property are currently around NZ$600 a week (US$485) in Christchurch. The median weekly income from all sources is $550 – $560, and the median hourly income is just $20.86 (source Statistics NZ: New Zealand Income Survey: June 2012 quarter).

“We are just one family of many  living it hard in Christchurch”

“I don’t know if I am allowed to do this. We have lived through all the earthquakes and seen the affects on the people who are living in cars, under piles of rubbish, etc, three or more families to a small unit. It is shocking and hard not to be able to help. We need financial help ourselves. We moved into  a place the night before the first earthquake, my husband was driving at the time and was stopped by divine intervention just before a building landed on the road in front of him,  which would have crushed him had he been further along the road. We have been looked after and kept safe during the whole time from divine help.

We have lived in our car  for a few weeks and had to move several times due to damaged properties and my health. My husband has just lost his job and we are about to be out of another home and in the car again because we have had to juggle money so much with the rising rents, etc.  It has been a matter of do we pay the rent and bills, rent and food, or food and bills, it is an impossible situation, with people telling us to get budgeting advice. We do our best.

We are only one of many managing in Christchurch like this now, I wish the government would help the little people here and look at the real issues. I want Christchurch rebuilt, but you need to provide for the people first. How can letting the people here starve and live on the streets help with a proper rebuild? The people are the city. I am asking if I am allowed to put this message begging for financial help at least for my  husband and myself urgently if this message is allowed to be posted. I don’t want to live in a car again, please help us. We are just one family of many  living it hard in Christchurch.” source

Want to know more about the plight of these people, struggling against all odds to survive?  Please  read our blogs from March 2011 – Raising the Profile of the Eastern Suburbs and Christchurch Quake a Tale of Three Cities – More Help Needed in Eastern Suburbs and other posts tagged Christchurch earthquakes.