Fighting the virus

I am still battling with a computer virus which despite all attempts stubbornly refuses to be eliminated. So I have to revert to writing this on an I Pad not using my normal keyboard. This distraction coupled with the busiest start of a new year that I can remember has put me well behind. Much has been happening as is evident from the reports of flooding resulting in road closures and in some extreme case inundation. Christchurch flood defences actually held up very well and with the dedication of our officer team a major incident was avoided. Meetings this week have highlighted areas where issues could have been dealt with differently but those areas were very few. Mapping of perennial flood areas is underway with emphasis on making sure drains and ditches are fit for purpose. Sensibly we wrote to riparian owners to make sure ditches were cleared a long time before the rains came and thankfully it looks like they took notice. I have a great deal of sympathy for those who were not so fortunate and suffered flooding but am aware that CBC did everything possible to give notice and handle crisis as they occurred. Let's hope for some dry weather into spring.