Whanganui District rain event
Published on 04 April 2017
2.00pm, 4 April 2017
Whanganui District Emergency Management is carefully monitoring the heavy rain we are experiencing in our district.
The rainfall is expected to temporarily ease off this afternoon (Tuesday, 4 April 2017) and return at 10.00pm tonight.
It is not expected to have a serious impact, although Whanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council are keeping a close eye on the situation in case things change.
The Whanganui River is expected to reach 9 metres at Pikiriki at 3.00pm today but this is not likely to cause flooding.
“The rainfall in the Whanganui Catchment has been intermittent, which has allowed the Whanganui River to drain some of the excess water caused by the rainfall. Early morning today we experienced rising river levels but this has now stabilised. The river level is still rising, but at a much slower rate than it was over the last several hours,” says Mayor Hamish McDouall.
“Despite this, we are still watching the levels of the river and tributaries carefully.”
The Whangaehu River is expected to peak at 9.4 metres at 7.30-8.00pm tonight and the Turakina River is expected to peak at 8 metres tomorrow afternoon. Both of these rivers are likely to cause some flooding issues for surrounding farmland. Horizons Regional Council and Whanganui District Council have been in touch with farmers to let them know.
Mayor McDouall reminds people to be prepared by having supplies and a family or household plan in case of an emergency.
“We are telling people to clear their gutters and drains, prepare their emergency kits and get plans in order. And keep up-to-date with what’s going on by listening to Brian FM and checking the Whanganui District Council Facebook page.
“We know the community may be anxious and on high alert after the June 2015 floods and we want to assure you we are carefully monitoring the situation and will keep you posted when we have official information. It’s also important to know that weather is unpredictable and the situation may change.”
Further information
Whanganui District Council Facebook
Manawatu-Wanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Facebook
Horizons Regional Council Facebook
Brian FM
91.2 Whanganui