Rain event media release #7
Published on 05 April 2017
12.00 noon, Wednesday, 5 April 2017
A state of emergency for Whanganui was declared at 6.00 pm on Tuesday 4 April.
The latest information from Horizons Regional Council is that the Whanganui River at Pipiriki is forecasted to reach 13.3 metres by at 12.00 midnight. This is likely to result in 8.6 metres at Whanganui City Bridge at 7.00am tomorrow morning, Thursday, 6 April 2017.
This is likely to mean that Kowhai Park stop banks could be overtopped which will result in possible flooding in low lying areas.
Evacuations will take place in low lying areas of Anzac Parade and Putiki will start from 12.30pm today, says Whanganui District Controller Kym Fell.
“We are working on evacuating households two houses deep from Anzac Parade and all of Putiki from State Highway 4 toward the Whanganui River. The evacuations will be co-ordinated by Police with support from the Defence Force and Civil Defence staff.”
“We aim to have people evacuated by 5.00pm this evening, Wednesday, 5 April. We ask that people are prepared with emergency kits and essential items including medication.”
Residents in these areas will be asked to make their way to the Civil Defence Centres at either Whanganui Girls College, Jones Street, Whanganui East or St Paul’s Church in Guyton Street.
If people have already self-evacuated, we ask you to please register with a Civil Defence Centre by calling (06) 349 0001 or go in person to Whanganui Girls College in Jones Street or St Paul’s Church in Guyton Street to let the welfare team
As a precaution, Taupo Quay, from Wilson Street to Victoria Avenue, and from Victoria Avenue to Bates Street is closed. Cordons and security personnel will be put in place in this area and sandbags will be installed.
Business owners in the closed area of Taupo Quay are able to enter their properties until 2.00pm today, Wednesday, 5 April 2017.
Anzac Parade between Hakeke Road and Georgetti Road to the Aramoho Railway Bridge will close at 12.30pm. Dublin Street Bridge will remain open.
Whanganui City Bridge is open, except to heavy traffic which is advised to use the Cobham Bridge.
ENDS
Roading information
Please refer to www.nzta.govt.nz for more information on state highway roading conditions. For local road conditions, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz
Schools
All Whanganui schools are closed today, Wednesday 5 April 2017.
Slips
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 state highway
roading conditions. For local road conditions, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz
Parks
All Whanganui District Council sports grounds are closed.
Health
If people are self-evacuating, please take your medications with you.
Further information