Surviving Cyclone Gabrielle Thomsen Family’s Resilience

Summary:

Cyclone Gabrielle’s Impact on Lindholm Farm
On the night of February 13th, Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on Lindholm Farm in Patoka, owned by the Thomsen family. The intense rainfall caused extensive damage, including over 5 kilometers of farm roads being rendered unusable, a bridge washout cutting off access to town, and significant land slippage that devastated approximately 40 to 50 hectares of grazeable land.
Three generations live on the farm: Hugh Thomsen, his son Greg, and grandson Rupert. Greg and his wife Emma faced immense challenges, including navigating through neighboring farms to reach essential locations and managing cattle that were scattered due to damaged fences. The family’s Napier-based brother, Hamish, became a crucial link to vital services and handled the insurance claims for the property.
Despite the heavy workload and damage, the Thomsen family has worked tirelessly to restore the farm. They have made significant progress but still have 5 kilometers of fencing to repair. The experience has also led to investments in new equipment like a post hole rammer, digger, and bulldozer to better prepare for future challenges.
The Thomsen family acknowledges the support of FMG in alleviating their financial burdens and assisting with the claims process. They remain optimistic and united in their efforts to rebuild and strengthen their farm operations.