Media release #21 Wanganui District weather event - 5.00pm 24 June 2015
Published on 24 June 2015
The Wanganui District is currently in recovery mode after experiencing the largest flood ever recorded in our district.
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.
A big thank you the team ‘on the ground’ who have been working tirelessly to clear roads and support communities – great progress is being made.
Weather warning
Wet weather is forecast for this weekend which could overload already fragile systems. We urge residents to be prepared for power outages and make sure they have stocks of water and general supplies.
Building inspections
Our building inspectors have completed inspections of buildings within the cordoned off areas to establish status of liveability. Some properties will be revisited for further checking and inspections will begin in other areas.
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 notice on the building. Cordons take priority over notices. The cordons are in place to protect public safety.
The team continues to categorise buildings using coloured notices:
- Red: Entry prohibited (building is at risk from external hazard or has been seriously damaged)
- Yellow: Restricted access (need to check with power, gas and insurance provider before occupying)
- White: No restrictions
For security reasons, the areas that have been inspected will not be made public.
Businesses
Business owners appreciated the opportunity to access their businesses yesterday. We contacted the businesses we were able to. Access has now been granted to properties on the west side of Taupo Quay to start the clean-up. Affected business owners in the Taupo Quay cordon area met Civil Defence staff this afternoon to discuss access to properties. Business owners who were unable to attend the meeting can contact Jenny Duncan on 021 669 847 for further information
Access is being made available to Taupo Quay properties within the cordon. The access will be from the city or river side of the properties. Taupo Quay itself will be kept clear for safety reasons.
Our contractors have been working long hours to stabilise infrastructure and make safe working conditions. While business owners have been frustrated, they understand the circumstances.
Contractors will be working on Taupo Quay until 10pm Wednesday.
Anzac Parade residents’ meeting
A meeting for Anzac Parade residents whose properties are within the cordon area will be held at 6.00pm today at the Wanganui Girls’ College hall. We are trying to make contact with all the residents in this zone. If you know someone who lives in the Anzac Parade cordon zone please tell them about this meeting.
Rural district
By the end of Wednesday we will have made contact with all properties which do not have road access. Red Cross representatives are visiting residents with limited road access to check on their welfare. Helicopters are being used to reach isolated communities and identify needs of properties difficult to reach. We are gathering information on resident numbers and food requirements for these communities.
Welfare will be co-ordinating with patients’ GP practices and Whanganui District Health Board to assess and respond to medical needs of these communities.
Individuals who require evacuation – such as expectant mothers or people with long-term health conditions – 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 near the Aramoho Rail Bridge.
Water
All houses in residential areas have water, with the exception of six houses whose owners have been contacted and provided with water. All Wanganui District tap water is safe to drink.
Gas
If you have self-evacuated from your residence please ensure you contact your gas supplier. Gasnet staff are on standby and a call centre is open – 0800 3492050.
Evacuations and welfare
Evacuated areas remain cordoned off and are being manned. Police are providing mobile units around other areas of the city that have been affected by flooding. 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 Wanganui Girls’ College will close at 8.00pm Wednesday after the public meeting for residents and will reopen on Thursday morning. The welfare centre at St Paul’s in Guyton Street will remain open overnight Wednesday.
GPs
All GPs and pharmacies in the district are open. Please see your usual GP and pharmacy.
Important notice regarding dust
Patrick O’Connor, Medical Officer of Health, Public Health:
As silt dries, dust is becoming a notable feature of the clean-up.
Evidence, based on studies of liquefaction exposed to sewage in Christchurch, indicates a low risk of bacterial and viral infection to public.
There may be irritant effects, especially to eyes, nose, and throat. Some individuals are more susceptible than others. Goggles and masks may be needed in some circumstances. Wet wiping of surfaces minimises dust exposure. Careful hand-washing is recommended after direct contact with the dust.
Temporary accommodation
Any evacuated residents needing long-term temporary accommodation can talk to Housing New Zealand at the Work and Income offices, Level 1, 133 Wicksteed Street. This service will be available from midday on Thursday and then 9.00am-4.00pm.
Supporting one another
While the wild weather has passed, we still need to look after each other. It’s important to check on those around you, your friends, whanau, and neighbours. If you know of people who might need support - the elderly, people with disabilities, young families, those with English as a second language - please check on them, share this message and translate if needed/possible.
Health care professionals will be at St Paul’s Welfare Centre on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10am-12pm, if you want some support or just a chat and a cuppa tea.
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
Disposal of silt from private property is the owner’s responsibility. We urge residents not to put silt on the grass verge or road as this is likely to block the stormwater drainage system that drains the roads and surrounding properties.
Bullocks in Taupo Quay is open to assist residents wishing to dispose of silt. Where possible, silt should be taken to this location. This service is for residents only.
To be safe, treat all silt as potentially contaminated and wear rubber gloves and protective clothing.
Contractors who need to dispose of large quantities of silt should contact the Emergency Operations Centre, phone 349 0001. Contractors cannot use the Bullocks disposal facility.
Disposal of damaged goods from residences and businesses
Disposal of goods and furniture is the owner’s responsibility.
Minor flooding of properties
Premises which have had flood water under or around buildings, but not up to the level of the floor framing, do not need to notify the Council for an inspection unless there is structural damage to the building or land slip risks. Residential sections that have been subject to flood water and silt can be treated by spreading hydrated lime to remove odour and some contaminates. Contact the Council if you have any concerns about your property.
Central city cordons
Part of the city centre remains cordoned off as a no-go zone. Cordons are in place at:
- Taupo Quay/Bates Street to Victoria
- Market Place partly
- Drews Avenue partly
Both Trafalgar Square public car parks (accessed from Taupo Quay and Wilson Street) are no-go zones.
Elevator access is now available at Durie Hill.
Road closures – urban
Taupo Quay – between Bates Street and Victoria Avenue
Drews Avenue and Market Place - between Rutland Street and Taupo Quay
Ikitara Road at Willis Street
Mt View Road – access for residents only
Anzac Parade – Georgetti Road to Jones Street
Anzac Parade – Jones Street to Eastown Road
Road closures – rural
State Highway 4 Kaimatira to Raetihi
No 3 Line – urban boundary to Kaimatira Road
Whanganui River Road – State Highway 4 to Pipiriki and to Raetihi
Mangamahu Road (part)
Polson Road
Tokomaru East Road
Tokomaru West Road
Rangitatau West Road (end only)
Rangitatau East Road (end only)
Watershed Road
Waipapa Road
Bruce Road
Creek Road
Mangawhero Road
Siceleys Road
Fields Track
Ahu Ahu Valley Road
Papaiti Road – Kauarapaoa Road
Ototoka Road - Maxwell
Whangaehu Valley Road
Handley Road – from Kai Iwi Valley Road to Ototoka Beach Road
The Parapara (State Highway 4) is closed but crews are working towards Fields Track.
Walkways closed
Anzac Parade - City Bridge to Georgetti Road
St John’s Hill cycleway SH4/Victoria Avenue
Taylor Street walkway
Durie Hill steps
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.
Spark offer to residents
Spark is offering free calls from its 26 public payphones in Wanganui and a range of other free services to help people suffering hardship after extensive flooding in the region and surrounding areas.
Local, national, 018 and mobile calls from the 26 payphones will be free between Wednesday, June 24, and Wednesday, July 1. Customers in the Whanganui region and surrounding areas who have been forced to evacuate their homes will also be able to take advantage of the following services from Spark within the next 6 months:
- CustomerLink free for 6 months – with this service customers can choose to divert their current landline calls to another nominated landline or mobile number. Alternatively they can get all calls diverted to a Call Minder service which will take messages for the customer
- Reconnection fee waived for customers needing to reconnect their landline to another premise
Spark asks affected residential customers in the district to call Spark on 123 to speak with a representative about the various options and services available to them.
Spark’s offers extend to customers displaced from their homes in the area covering Brunswick, Fordell, Gonville, Kakatahi, Kai Iwi, Mangamahu, Makirikiri, Maxwell, Okoia, Whanganui town and surrounding area, Whangaehu and Waverley.
To see where the 26 Spark payphones are located go to www.spark.co.nz/storefinder.
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
www.horizons.govt.nz/choose-river-rainfall-chart