West Coasters are once again coping with the aftermath of devastating floods

The severe weather over the past two weeks affecting Westland and Buller districts has been called a medium-scale adverse event.

Floods and slips caused significant damage to Buller's roading, stormwater and rail infrastructure.

Auckland University Faculty of Engineering associate professor Asaad Shamseldin says there are ways to protect the region.

He says they include, relocating people, raising the floor level of buildings or putting up flood protection stock banks.