Media release #13 Wanganui District weather event - 5.30am 22 June 2015
Published on 22 June 2015
Whanganui River
The Wanganui District is experiencing the largest flood ever recorded in our district.
The situation in the rural area is still being assessed. There are a large number of slips on rural roads. Our focus on Monday is to identify any rural residents who have not been able to make contact with us and who may need assistance.
The Whanganui River level is dropping in the urban area so work is beginning on the clean-up operations. On Monday morning building inspectors will begin assessing the worst affected urban properties for damage and possible contamination.
Residents should treat all flood waters, and areas that have previously been inundated with water, as contaminated.
Bridges
The Dublin Street Bridge is open to service vehicles only. The abutments will be assessed on Monday morning when the water level drops. It is unlikely to open before noon on Monday.
The City Bridge is closed until the approaches on both sides of the bridge can be checked and made safe. The bridge itself has been assessed as structurally sound. A decision will then be made on whether the bridge can reopen. It is unlikely to occur before noon on Monday.
The Aramoho Rail Bridge walkway is closed.
Water supply
Power has been restored to the Kai Iwi bores, the three major bores which supply the city. The Westmere reservoirs are now refilling. In the meantime, please continue to conserve water use.
Evacuations and welfare
Excavated areas remain cordoned off and are being manned. Police are providing mobile units around the city. The Salvation Army is assisting at welfare centres. Red Cross has started checking vulnerable residents. People who have evacuated their properties should not return home under any circumstances until the property has been assessed and decontaminated if necessary.
Roads
Access is available west and south on State Highway 3. State Highway 4 (Parapara) is still closed.
Wanganui East residents can now access the city via a loop at the back of the eastern suburbs. The route is:
- Travel along Anzac Parade to Riverbank Road
- Turn right on to Kaimatira Road
- Turn left on to No 3 Line
- Continue up Okoia Hill Road
- Turn right on to No 2 Line
- Continue along No 2 Line and down Portal Street
- Turn left on to Anzac Parade and continue along Putiki Drive to State Highway roundabout
- Turn right on to State Highway 3 to Cobham Bridge.
This route cannot be accessed from the Eastown Road end of No 3 Line.
It is expected that the Wanganui East route will be extremely congested on Monday morning. People using this route are urged to take extreme care and be patient.
View map of route from Wanganui East
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.
Business premises in the bottom block of Victoria Avenue are able to open, other than MaxiLab, Thai Villa and Stellar.
View map of central city cordons
Road closures – urban
Taupo Quay – between Bates Street and St Hill Street
Drews Avenue and Market Place - between Rutland Street and Taupo Quay
Peat Street by substation
Peat Park/London Street
Halswell Street
Alexander Street
Ikitara Road
Quick Avenue
Georgetti Road (open to residents only)
Shakespeare Road
Roberts Avenue
Lucknow Street
Mt View Road
Virginia Road
Road closures – rural
State Highway 4 Kaimatira to Raetihi
Kaukatea Valley Road
No 3 Line Wakefield Street to Kaimatira Road
Waikupa Road
Whanganui River Road
Kaurapaoa Road
Kaikokopu Road
Mangamahu Road
Kaimatira Road
Matarawa Valley Road
Okoia Road
Parihauhau Road
Ahu Ahu Valley Road
Rapanui Road
Kaukatea Valley Road
Papaiti Road closed (near 547)
Pipiriki Road
Smith Road
Polson Road
Tokomaru East Road
Tokomaru West Road
Koatanui Road
Rangitatau East Road
Watershed Road
Waipapa Road
Raupiu Road
Junction Road
Bruce Road
Creek Road
Mangawhero Road
Otamoa Road
Siceleys Road
Walkways closed
City Bridge to Georgetti Road
St John’s Hill cycleway
Power supply
The Peat Street substation was affected by flooding but by late evening Sunday (June 21) was back in action.
The lower Victoria Avenue substation is flooded at the City Bridge. Transpower has been advised of pole issues in Roberts Avenue.
Some areas are still without power or are experiencing disruption to power supply as repairs are made. Power is out at Ahu Ahu, Blueskin, Brunswick, Kai Iwi (bores ok), Paparangi, Rangitatau East, Te Tuhi Junction and Westmere. Currently power is expected to be restored to all of these areas by 6.00pm on Monday, June 22.
Schools/educational facilities
Contact schools and other educational facilities directly to check whether they will be open on Monday.