February 13th marks one year since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the Hawke’s Bay region. Prime Pump was on the ground in Napier and Gisborne working with freight companies, customers, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Civil Defence to get pumps, hoses and accessories to the region. The immediate task was to move flood waters back into the river, and to clear the damaged stormwater network so that civil works crews could bring the pump stations back online.
Four things stood out for us during that time:
1. The scale of the devastation - fertile land destroyed, peoples’ lives uprooted, homes and businesses gone.
2. People pitching in – staff at all levels got stuck in, suppliers, freight staff, and customers came together to move gear quickly from our branches into the Hawke’s Bay.
3. Staff dedication – the team worked around the clock to keep the 36 flood relief pumps tuned and fueled. Three staff temporarily relocated to Napier to support the clean up.
4. Local support - the gratitude of the locals despite their environment, and the humbling experience of working with dedicated crews from the Council Works Group and other contractors to restore key infrastructure.
While the initial clean-up is complete, future proofing the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne against severe-weather events like Gabrielle is ongoing. With a newly-opened branch in Onekawa, Prime Pump in committed to stormwater management efforts in the region.
We are thinking of the crews we worked alongside, and the people of Hawke's Bay today.
