Subsequent to the heavy rain and floods throughout the country over the past two weeks, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) has so far claimed more than 130 accounting an estimate of $1.5 million. Also, 138 claims concerned landslide damage to homes, and flood and storm damage to land.

Out of all, the maximum claims were posted from Napier, Whakatane, Tasman, Waitaki and Wellington. Insurance Manager Lance Dixon said, "We are bringing in assessors as quickly as possible to work on the claims".

To lodge a claim, people have up to three months from the date of the incident, and this commission is only valid for those people, with home and, or contents insurance. Landslip damage to houses and contents, and damage from storm, flood or landslip to land are included in the commission.

As surface flooding ebbed and the clean-up process began, the extent of damage became apparent in the flood-stricken Otago. Likely to touch millions, the exact cost of this project has not been known, and the probably wouldn't be even, for "days if not weeks".

No records were set, but the Otago Regional Council studied that the flooding in last week did not cause any widespread disruption.