Back on 17 April in 2014, Cyclone Ita wreaked havoc along the West Coast of the South Island, and particularly hard hit was Buller. It battered property and cut northern Buller off. It took a couple of weeks to get power restored and roads open into Karamea. Punakaiki was also badly hit and then the cyclone moved further south to cause significant damage in the Grey and Westland districts. 