Media release #6 Wanganui District weather event

Published on 20 June 2015

7.15am, 20 June 2015

Evacuations

75 people have registered at our evacuation centre at St Paul’s Community Centre in Guyton Street. Further evacuations are underway in Putiki (Takarangi Street) and at Anzac Parade from Mt View Road to Boydfield Street. Army and Police personnel are assisting with evacuations.

Whanganui River update

The Whanganui River continues to rise. It is 15.34 metres high at Pipiriki and expected to rise to 8.6 metres at the City Bridge between 1.00am and 3.00am. This will be very close to overtopping the new stopbanks. Volunteers and the Army have sandbagged affected parts of Wanganui East.

Kowhai Park

Manhole covers in Kowhai Park have been lifted to allow stormwater and sewage to spill into the park to lessen the impact on nearby properties in Anzac Parade and in the Matarawa Stream catchment. The public must stay out of the park due to the danger of open manholes.

Flood waters

Sewage and stormwater spills are being reported throughout the district so all flood waters should be considered contaminated. Please keep away from creeks and other flooded areas. Drinking water quality is not affected.

Water supply

The city water supply pressure has been reduced and residents are asked to conserve water but the water is fine to drink. Power is out to all bores.

Power

Some street lighting in the urban area is out. Our contractors are working to get these back on. There may still be isolated pockets of power outages. Please contact your energy supply company to report any outages.

Road closures

Anzac Parade (to Purua Street)
Peat Street
London Street (near the substation)
Halswell Street
Alexander Street
Kakatea Valley Road
Matarawa Valley Road
SH 4 Raetihi to Wanganui
SH 3 Bulls to Wanganui
Whanganui River Road
Parihauhau Road
Turoa Road
Tanguru Street
Rangitatau Road East
Kamatira Road
Waikupu Road
Tokomaru West Road
Kauarapaoa Road
Brunswick Road
Matarawa Street
Raine Street
Ngatarua Road
Longacre Road
Okoia Road
Kaikokopu Road
Mangamahu Road
Hackett Street
Lucknow Street
Quick Avenue
Georgetti Road
Shakespeare Road
Roberts Avenue
Ikitara Road (Anzac Parade to Turoa Road)