It could be several weeks before businesses in Lawrence are able to return to full operations after flooding dampened several properties at the weekend.
Clutha District Council staff were in Lawrence yesterday assessing the damage caused by flash flooding last Friday night.
Council recovery manager David Campbell believed 11 businesses were affected in Lawrence, along with a few residential properties.
About five properties in Milton were also seriously affected by the flooding.
Council staff helped two Milton families on Monday who had been forced out of their houses by the flooding.
Staff also completed welfare checks in the town.
Council building control manager Malcolm Sinclair completed several rapid assessments of buildings in Lawrence and Waitahuna yesterday.
Some of the more seriously affected businesses may be unable to open for several weeks, he said.
Mr Sinclair had completed flood assessments before and the situation at Lawrence was what he expected, once water had got into a building.
He said the amount of time it would take businesses to return to normal would depend on how quickly the recovery work could be completed.
''I would imagine they would be out for a few weeks, but whether you're talking three or you're talking five or six would be another story.''
This could depend on the availability and efficiency of tradespeople as well as what facilities there were to dry out the buildings.
Walls would need to be stripped and replaced in some instances.
There were several buildings the council was unable to assess as the owners were away.
Council environment health officer Trish Aitken also assisted in the assessment of properties in Lawrence.
It was her job to check how hospitality businesses were affected in terms of health and safety.
A lot of low-lying and perishable food had to be thrown out, she said.
There was also damage and dirt on external surfaces, which would have to be properly cleaned before any were able to be reopened.
Water reached levels of up to 60cm in some places, such as the Wild Walnut Cafe.
Cafe owner Sue Bertram said the initial shock over the damage had passed and it was now a matter of moving forward.
''Where do we go from here?''
The entire cafe building had been flooded, from the front to the back, she said.
She did not know when the cafe would open again but believed it would be a significant time as the damage was extensive.
People whose properties were damaged by flooding can register using the online form on the council website or call the council on 0800 801-350.
