Region on high alert for flooding
A severe weather warning is in place over Manawatu, Horowhenua and Whanganui today as the tail end of Cyclone Debbie strikes with force.
The Whanganui region last night declared a state of emergency as the Whanganui River rose to dangerously high levels.
Whanganui mayor Hamish Mcdouall said the district council was taking all steps to ensure residents would be safe and a Civil Defence emergency centre was on standby in the event of a flood.
The state of emergency was declared at 5.30pm, as the river near Pipiriki, west of Raetahi, threatened to break its bank.
Mcdouall said this was a precaution, as the peak levels at Pipiriki were expected to get to about 17.7 metres, which would be 2.7 metres higher then the June 2015 floods.
The river was expected to peak at 1pm on Wednesday and Mcdouall said that left Whanganui very vulnerable.
The Whangaehu area was also a concern, as it had suffered severe damage in previous floods, including 2015.
State Highway 4 between Whanganui River Rd and Raetihi was closed due to surface flooding, with detours in place along State Highways 3, 1 and 49.
The weather also caused havoc on Manawatu roads, with a truck jackknifing on State Highway 57, south of Tokomaru, just after 12pm yesterday.
The driver was not seriously injured, however, the crash blocked both lanes of the road, a police spokeswoman said.
Hundreds of rural homes were also without electricity after strong winds blew a tree on to powerlines.
Power went off for more than 500 properties in the Ashhurstpohangina area about 10.45am.
Awahou School in the Pohangina Valley sent pupils home at lunchtime after wild weather cut power.
Principal Matt Schmidt said many children did not make it in because of the conditions.
‘‘We were hanging on, but without power there is not a lot we can do.
‘‘There are trees down blocking roads and the Pohangina River is rising fast.’’
Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh said contractors were called in to deal with the damage.
‘‘The high winds play havoc with sodden trees, which often tear down power lines,’’ he said.
The Tararua District Council was advising motorists to avoid roads closed due to heavy rain from 2.30pm yesterday.
The affected roads were Mckinley Rd, Range Rd and Broomfield Rd in Woodville, and Riverdale Rd in Dannevirke was down to one lane at town end.
Levin, Shannon and Tokomaru residents were urged to use water sparingly due to rain stirring up water sources. Significant rainfall in the Tararua Range could increase water turbidity in the rivers from where it is sourced.
Horizons Regional Council hydrology and emergency management staff were also keeping a close eye on river levels.
Horizons controller Ged Shirley said the rainfall was not expected to have a serious impact, but they were monitoring the situation in case things change. He was expecting 100-150 millimetres of rain in the high country over a 24-hour period.
Metservice meteorologist Lisa Murray said much of the same could be expected on Wednesday, with showers easing on Thursday morning in time for the weekend.