People in flood-hit Westport are learning the fate of their damaged homes, as flood waters recede.

Roughly one in five people living in the West Coast town have been displaced - that's about 1000 residents.

A boil water notice also remains in place, due to the risk of sewage contamination.

Max Towle spoke to RNZ's reporter Anan Zaki, who's in Kawatiri, Westport.