Rain event #4
Published on 04 April 2017
10.30 pm Tuesday 4 April 2017
Following the declaration of a state of emergency at 6.00 pm tonight, the Civil Defence Emergency Management Team has been door-knocking in Anzac Parade and areas of Whanganui East near the Whanganui River, Taupo Quay and Putiki.
If you are in a flood-prone area, you are urged to make preparations to re-locate early tomorrow morning.
Evacuations will begin at 6.00 am tomorrow for Putiki, Onetere Drive, the CBD from Ridgway Street to Taupo Quay and Anzac Parade from Georgetti Road to the Aramoho Rail Bridge.
Whanganui District Controller, Kym Fell says, “The latest information provided by Horizons Regional Council is that the Whanganui River is expected to rise to 19.3 metres at Pipiriki by 1.00 pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 5 April 2017.
“By comparison, in 2015 we saw the river level at Pipiriki rise to 15 metres at its peak. Based on this we are expecting a significant event tomorrow of a similar magnitude to the 2015 flood.”
Residents in Whangaehu have been advised of likely flooding. The Whangaehu River level is expected to rise to a peak of 15.9 metres at 3 pm tomorrow.
Anyone who evacuates their home is asked to check in with a Civil Defence Centre, either in person, or by calling Whanganui District Council on 06 349 0001.
The Civil Defence Centre at St Paul’s Church in Guyton Street will remain open overnight. The Civil Defence Centre at Whanganui Girls College will be closed from 10.00 pm tonight and will re-open at 6.00 am tomorrow morning.
The Ministry of Education has advised the closure of all schools in the Whanganui District tomorrow, Wednesday, 5 April 2017.
RNZAF Base Ohakea personnel have been sent to Whanganui to assist with evacuations.
Further personnel are expected to arrive from the Royal New Zealand Army’s Linton Military Camp tomorrow.
There is surface flooding on Longacre Road, Okoia Road and Waikupa Road. Drivers are reminded to take it easy and drive to the conditions.
State Highway 4 is closed north of Kakatahi (half way down the Parapara).
No bridges in the Whanganui District are closed currently.
There may be a number of other roads closed throughout our district due to surface flooding and slips. Please refer to www.nzta.govt.nz for more information on road conditions.
Further information