Media release #43 Wanganui District weather event - 10.00am 7 July 2015

Published on 07 July 2015

Weather

The MetService has this morning lifted the heavy rain warning for the northern parts of the Whanganui River catchment.

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.

There is now access through the Whanganui River Road but the road remains very slippery and dangerous. Access is for emergency services and essential travel by residents in 4WD only.

Rural road closures

State Highway 4 – from Whanganui River Road turnoff to Raetihi
No 3 Line – from the urban boundary to Kaimatira Road
Kauarapaoa Road – from culvert 6 to culvert 24
Ahu Ahu Valley Road (90% open)
Watershed Road (90% open)
Creek Road (90% open)
Bruce Road (50% open)
Landguard 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.

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.

Welfare

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.

Any businesses affected by the floods and which may be late in filing returns are encouraged to visit the Inland Revenue representative at the Hub for assistance.

Contact numbers are:

Work and Income 0800 559 009
Inland Revenue 0800 473 566

Mayor’s Relief Fund

People directly affected by the flood can apply to the Mayor’s Relief Fund for assistance with their immediate needs. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Application forms are available from the Wanganui District Council offices at 101 Guyton Street; phone 349 0001; and online at www.wanganui.govt.nz/relief-fund (printable form).

Donations

Anyone who would like to provide support to people affected by the floods can make donations to the following funds:

Mayor’s Relief Fund: 03 0791 0355050 04
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Disaster Relief Fund: 03 0728 0411355 00

Contact information

Key agencies involved in the recovery 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