MEDIA RELEASE #17 WANGANUI DISTRICT WEATHER EVENT - 4:50PM 23 JUNE 15

Published on 23 June 2015

The Wanganui District is currently in recovery mode after experiencing the largest flood ever recorded in our district.

“We are prioritising the needs - health, welfare and safety - of our rural communities especially the isolated areas,” says Mayor Annette Main. “If there is anyone in our rural area who hasn't made contact with our welfare centre, can you please do so on (06) 349 0001 so that we have a record of your contact details. If you do not have telephone access please message the Wanganui District Council with your contact details and your welfare needs, email civildefence@wanganui.govt.nz or Facebook the Wanganui District Council.”

Good progress is being made clearing slips on rural roads. Road closures will continue to be shown on the media releases from Wanganui District Council (www.wanganui.govt.nz). However, SH4 (Parapara Road), River Road and Kauarapaoa Road do have multiple slips and dropouts that will take some time to clear.

Our building inspectors are assessing buildings within the cordoned off areas to establish status of liveability. We would like to reiterate that until properties are inspected, they will be treated as contaminated and uninhabitable.

If your house or business is in a cordoned off area and the cordon has not yet been lifted, you may not enter regardless of whether there is a red, white or yellow sticker on the building. Cordons take priority over stickers.

The team continues to categorise buildings using coloured stickers:

Red: Entry prohibited (building is at risk from external hazard or has been seriously damaged)
Yellow: Restricted access (structural safety in question – access is only permitted with an authorised person)
White: No restrictions

Our welfare team will contact any residents of areas where cordons have been lifted and where yellow or white stickers apply.

For security reasons, the areas that have been inspected will not be made public.

Rural District

Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries has declared a medium scale adverse event in the Lower North Island for the primary sector. More information for this can be found on the Wanganui District Council Facebook page.

Helicopters will be used again tomorrow to reach isolated communities and identify needs of properties difficult to reach. They will be gathering information on resident numbers and food requirements for these communities.

Welfare will be co-ordinating with MidCentral District Health Board to assess and respond to medical needs of these communities.

Individuals that require evacuation – such as expectant mothers – will be evacuated on a case by case basis.

Bridges

All bridges are now open.

There is a road block on Anzac Parade at Pehi Street.

Water

All houses in residential areas have water, with the exception of six houses who have been contacted and provided with water. All Wanganui District tap water is safe to drink.

Evacuations and welfare

Evacuated areas remain cordoned off and are being manned. Police are providing mobile units around the city. People who have evacuated their properties should not return home under any circumstances until the property has been assessed and decontaminated if necessary. The welfare centres at St Paul’s Hall and at Wanganui Girls College are open today. St Paul’s will be closing at midnight, Girl’s College will be open overnight.

Animal welfare

If you have a dwelling in a cordoned area, and you are concerned about your pets, please contact the Wanganui District Council on (06) 349 0001.

Roads

Access is available west and south on State Highway 3. State Highway 4 (Parapara) is closed due to multiple slips, flooding and trees blocking the road – this is due to be closed for some time.

We advise extreme caution on all roads as they are affected by slips, debris etc. Roading authorities advise that the effects of the recent event are long term and road users need to be cautious as roads will be fragile for some time.

Silt Build up

Bullocks in Taupo Quay are open to assist residents wishing to dispose of silt. Where possible, silt should be taken to this location.

Central city cordons

Part of the city centre remains cordoned off as a no-go zone. Cordons are in place at:

Taupo Quay/Heads Road near Suzuki New Zealand
Taupo Quay/St Hill Street
Taupo Quay/Victoria Avenue
Taupo Quay/Bates Street
Rutland Street/Market Place
Rutland Street/Drews Avenue
Market Place/Rutland Street
Wilson Street/ Ridgway Street

Both Trafalgar Square public car parks (accessed from Taupo Quay and Wilson Street) are no-go zones.

Road closures – urban

Taupo Quay – between Bates Street and St Hill Street

Drews Avenue and Market Place - between Rutland Street and Taupo Quay

Ikitara Road

Mt View Road

Anzac Park – Georgetti – Jones Street

Anzac Park – Jones – Eastown Road

Road closures – rural

State Highway 4 Kaimatira to Raetihi

Kaukatea Valley Road

No 3 Line Wakefield Street to Kaimatira Road

Whanganui River Road

Kaurapaoa Road

Mangamahu Road

Matarawa Valley Road

Parihauhau Road

Pipiriki Road

Polson Road

Tokomaru East Road

Tokomaru West Road

Rangitatau East Road

Watershed Road

Waipapa Road

Raupiu Road

Bruce Road

Creek Road

Mangawhero Road

Otamoa Road

Siceleys Road

Fields Track

Longacre Road

Ahu Valley Road

Papaiti Road closed (near 547)

Makirikiri Valley Road (last 5km)

The Paraparas are closed but crews they are working towards Fields Track.

Walkways closed

City Bridge to Georgetti Road

St John’s Hill cycleway

Power supply

We urge residents to contact Powerco website for updates: www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/

Insurance Claims

For those who do have insurance, it is advised to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and make a claim. For those who do not have insurance, it is advised that you contact Work and Income New Zealand, who are available to assess anyone in difficulty and offer advice.

If any community organisations would like printed copies of this information couriered to them, please call 0800 888 202 or email info@iombudsman.org.nz and these will be sent out to you.

Contact Information

Key agencies involved in the response are working to keep their online resources, such as websites and Facebook pages, as current as possible. We encourage people to ‘bookmark’ these sites for information on this and future events.

Wanganui District Council

www.wanganui.govt.nz

www.facebook.com/wanganuidistrictcouncil

www.facebook.com/yourmayorannettemain

Civil Defence Emergency Management Facebook Pages

www.facebook.com/civildefencemanawatuwanganui

www.facebook.com/nzgetthru

NZTA – Highway Information

www.nzta.govt.nz or 0800 HIGHWAYS

Roading authorities are urging road users to take extra care when driving through the Manawatu Wanganui region. Users are reminded that road conditions in an emergency are inconsistent and to check on-line resources for highway or roadway information before travelling.

Horizons Regional Council – River Levels