Greenfield Tavern owner Karen Mills. Photo: RNZ/Charlotte Cook
A local publican has turned her hand at civil defence, opening the doors as a welfare centre.
More than 9000 homes are currently without power in Southland after last week's storm, many around the area are also on boil water notices.
Greenfield Tavern was a warm, bright haven on the otherwise dark roads of Clydevale in Clutha Valley.
Inside were farmers holding a bottle of Speights debriefing over the last few days under the watchful eye of its owner Karen Mills.
Mills alongside another local Hamish Wilson have taken it upon themselves to create Civil Defence set up, reporting back to Clutha District and the fire service.
The pub has a lounge with a large fire, ready to welcome those doing it tough.
The Greenfield Tavern. Photo: RNZ/Charlotte Cook
Round the corner is the second half of the new operation Clyde Valley School.
The two venues are some of the only places in the nearby radius with power and internet.
Clutha Valley School has been open to the public for a few days, offering hot showers to those who are without water.
On their first opening day there was a steady stream of weary locals looking for a reprieve.
It's been much the same at the pub according to Mills, a place where people can catch up.
"A biggest disadvantage out here has been communication, because we've got terrible cell phone coverage at the best of times and and just with no power, a lot of people on Wi Fi calling. So, it's just been making sure we haven't missed anybody out there, and everybody's in the loop and communicated with and and been listened to."
She said it's been really hard, especially for dairy farmers.
"Me, not being a dairy farmer, I sort of thought, oh, cool, the cows are being milked.
"I only sort of found out just sort of the next day, they're getting milked, but they're having to dump the milk because they can't keep the milk cold.
"So that's been pretty devastating."
The Greenfield Tavern. Photo: RNZ/Charlotte Cook
But Mills was heartened by the small rural towns community spirit and the locals who are pulling together.
"Very, very lucky to be in a rural community, a lot of unity, a lot of resilience.
"Know your neighbours, so everybody's doing the neighbourly love thing, sharing generators, and just feel really fortunate that most of us know each other, and we're just looking out for each other.
"It's just mainly water and drinking water stock water generators, that's what we've needed. And a lot of people have come to the party with things like that.
"Either locals have driven away to get them as far as Christchurch, or they've been brought in by rural support and some other amazing people."
Mills main concern, making sure people aren't going through the tough part alone.
"Just let everybody know that they're welcome to come down to the pub, not necessarily for a drink, but just to come down have a chinwag and a chat and grab a coffee and charge up their phones and know they're not alone."
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