Media release #42 Wanganui District weather event - 1.30pm 6 July 2015
Published on 06 July 2015
Severe weather watch
This morning’s update from the MetService says a severe weather watch is still in place for our area for Monday and Tuesday:
RAIN:
A front, preceded by strong westerlies, is expected to move onto the lower North Island this afternoon, then become slow moving for a time from later today through to Tuesday evening....
There is the potential for significant rain over the central and lower North Island, however, the greatest amounts may fall as snow about the central high country and ranges on Tuesday morning.
Given the recent flooding events, a Watch will be maintained for HEAVY RAIN in the the following areas...
THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY FROM TE KUITI TO RAETIHI, INCLUDING EASTERN TARANAKI, TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AND THE WHANGANUI RIVER CATCHMENT:
Periods of rain are expected from this evening (Monday), and may become heavy for a time Tuesday morning, before clearing in the afternoon.
People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecast in case part of this Watch is upgraded to a Warning.
Roads
Many of our rural roads are extremely marginal and they are suitable only for emergency services and absolutely essential travel by locals with 4WD. 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. Please note that members of the public travelling on closed roads may not be covered by insurance.
An accident this morning highlights the treacherous road conditions - read more here.
On the Whanganui River Road there is now access to Ranana from the south but this is very marginal. The section between Ranana and Jerusalem remains closed. The welfare food drop scheduled for Thursday this week will still go ahead.
Rural road closures
- State Highway 4 – from Whanganui River Road turnoff to Raetihi
- No 3 Line, from the urban boundary to Kaimatira Road
- Whanganui River Road – Ranana to Jerusalem
- Ahu Ahu Valley Road (90% open)
- Papaiti-Kauarapaoa - closed between culverts 6 and 24 (residents north of culvert 24 must exit via Rangitatau East Road)
- Watershed Road (90% open)
- Creek Road (three-quarters open)
- Bruce Road (half open)
- Languard Bluff Road
Urban roads
- All urban roads are open.
Slips and debris
Short-term closures of roads may be required at times while slips and debris are removed.
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
Horizons Regional Council – River Levels
www.horizons.govt.nz/choose-river-rainfall-chart