Media release #15 Wanganui District weather event - 11.45pm 22 June 2015
Published on 22 June 2015
The Wanganui District is in recovery mode after experiencing the largest flood ever recorded in our district. There has been little change in the situation on Monday evening since our last update.
Our focus is to continue to identify and, if required, provide assistance to the many rural residents who are isolated because of road slips. Medication and food parcels are being distributed by helicopter.
There are a large number of slips on rural roads. Crews are working hard to clear rural roads in order to get vehicles through, with good progress being made.
Our building inspectors are assessing flooded properties. Until properties are inspected they will be treated as contaminated and uninhabitable.
The team is categorising 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
For security reasons, the areas that have been inspected will not be made public.
Bridges
The Dublin Street Bridge is open.
The City Bridge remains 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. Tuesday morning (June 23) is the earliest a decision will be made on reopening.
The Aramoho Rail Bridge is closed to pedestrians.
Evacuations and welfare
Excavated 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 centre at St Paul’s Hall will close at midnight and reopen at 8.00am Tuesday. The welfare centre at Wanganui Girls College will remain open overnight Monday.
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.
We advise extreme caution on all roads as they are affected by slips, debris etc.
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
Purua Street
Mt View Road
Glasgow/Harrison Street intersection
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
Mangamahu Road
Matarawa Valley Road
Okoia Road
Parihauhau Road
Pipiriki 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
Fields Track
Longacre Road
Ahu Valley Road
Rapanui Road
Kaukatea Valley Road
Papaiti Road closed (near 547)
Wikitoria Road
Walkways closed
City Bridge to Georgetti Road
St John’s Hill cycleway
Power supply
Powerco is continuing to work to restore power and identify customers most in need. Customers should report faults to their energy retailers to help ensure all areas without power are identified. People can also contact their retailer for information about power cuts or go to Powerco’s website www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/