Media release #31 Wanganui District weather event - 10.00am Wednesday 1 July 2015

Published on 01 July 2015

The state of local emergency remains in place following the largest ever recorded flood in the Wanganui District.

Weather forecast

More rain is expected on Friday this week. This may overload already fragile systems and cause further slips and debris on roads. Any rain will make the rural roads even more dangerous than they currently are so we will stand down roading crews for safety reasons and close roads if there is 5ml or more of rain.

Anzac Parade

Work continues on the clean-up of Anzac Parade properties. The Fire Service has completed pumping out and hosing of these properties.

Work is continuing on clearing the Kowhai Park stopbanks and access road areas. It will take some weeks for work at the park to be completed. The public is asked to stay away from Kowhai Park as heavy machinery is operating.

Rural area

The Ruapehu-Wanganui Rural Support Trust is available to help people, particularly farmers, in the rural area who require assistance. Phone 0800 787 254. The Trust has set up a base in the Ministry for Primary Industries office at 60 Ridgway Street.

Helicopters will deliver essential supplies to isolated areas on Thursday.

Red Cross personnel will visit rural residents over the weekend to check on their welfare.

Welfare

The welfare centre at Wanganui Girls’ College has closed. Support agencies are now based at the Ministry of Social Development offices at 133 Wicksteed Street.

From Wednesday, July 1, the Flood Welfare Hub is operating from the ground floor of Terrace House, 133 Wicksteed Street. Agencies available at the Hub are: Ministry of Social Development, Housing NZ, Te Puni Kokiri, Inland Revenue and Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority.

The Hub will be contacting priority families and individuals to establish assistance required.

Contact numbers are:

Work and Income 0800 559 009

Inland Revenue 0800 473 566

The welfare team is making contact with everyone who has registered as evacuating their property to check whether they have any additional requirements. The team is also considering any longer term health needs in the isolated areas.

For older people needing assistance or support, please contact Age Concern, phone 345 1799.

Building inspections

The Council’s building inspectors yesterday issued 19 dangerous building notices. EQC will be assessing buildings and liaising with owners in the coming months.

The team has categorised buildings using coloured notices:

• Red: Entry prohibited (building is at risk from external hazard or has been seriously damaged) = 19 buildings
• Yellow: Restricted access (need to check with power, gas and insurance provider before occupying) = 135 buildings
• White: No restrictions = 80 buildings.

Road closures

Our roading crews are hard at work clearing access to our rural roads. However, the roads are extremely dangerous and slips are continuing to come down. Any rain or wind is affecting the work that has already been done. There are also underslips which may not be apparent. We urge residents to use the roads only if it is absolutely essential and to drive with extreme caution. Newly opened roads are suitable for rough 4WD access only. We request the general public to keep off the rural roads and refrain from sightseeing. Please do not move road signs or barricades. If there is a road closed sign in place, it means there is no access to that road.

Rural

• State Highway 4 – from Kaimatira Road to Raetihi
• No 3 Line, from the urban boundary to Kaimatira Road
• Whanganui River Road – Koriniti to Pipiriki
• Papaiti Road (half open) to Kauarapaoa Road
• Ahu Ahu Valley Road (three-quarters open)
• Watershed Road (90% open)
• Creek Road (three-quarters open)
• Bruce Road (half open)
• Languard Bluff Road
• Kai Iwi Valley Road

Urban

• Wairere Road is closed from 9.00am-12 noon on Wednesday, July 1, for urgent work on a power pole.
• All other urban roads are open.

Walkways closed

• Anzac Parade - City Bridge to Georgetti Road
• St John’s Hill cycleway SH4/Victoria Avenue
• Taylor Street walkway
• Mt View Road zigzag

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 Yard 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. Please do not put damaged goods on the road.

Minor flooding of properties

Residential sections that have been subject to flood water and silt can be treated by spreading hydrated lime to remove odour and some contaminants. Contact the Council if you have any concerns about your property.

Insurance claims

For those who 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.

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 Flood Welfare Hub on the ground floor of Terrace House at 133 Wicksteed Street.

Volunteer assistance

• All volunteers are being co-ordinated through the Emergency Recovery Office.
• If you are able to volunteer, please call the Volunteer Co-ordinator on (06) 349 3055.
• If you need help with cleaning up after the flood, the Volunteer Co-ordinator can put you in touch with people who have registered to assist. Phone (06) 349 3055.
• Volunteers are asked to provide shovels, wheelbarrows and gumboots where they can.

Volunteer assistance criteria

Volunteers may be allocated to assist private property owners under the following understanding:

Information to property owners

• Volunteers working on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
• Owners are advised that there is no have knowledge of the background of the volunteers.
• The owner is responsible for health and safety of persons working on their property i.e. don’t ask them to do anything that could result in injury.

Information to volunteers

• Volunteers shouldn’t have to do any work for the owner that they consider dangerous or risky.
• It is possible volunteers will be asked when on site to carry out tasks that are not related to the flooding. It is up to the discretion of the volunteer whether they agree to do the work. They are encouraged to limit their assistance to the flooding event.
• On completion of the task please report to the Supervisor that the work has been completed.

Donations

Donations to assist people affected by the floods can be made to the Mayor’s Special Fund:

Westpac 03 0791 0355050 04.

This fund will be available to support people with their more immediate needs.

Water

All Wanganui District tap water is safe to drink. Some leaks are occurring in mains in the urban area as the ground moves and settles. Any leaks should be reported to the Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001.

Power

Power has been restored to customers throughout the district. However, parts of the network remain fragile and are being monitored.

Please visit the Powerco website for updates: www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults.

 

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 4 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