Two states of local emergency have been declared across the Manawatū-Whanganui region after heavy rain caused flooding and slips overnight, with Whanganui now bracing for forecast flooding from surging river levels.
Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe declared a state of local emergency for the Whanganui District at 6.57am on Sunday, hours after a similar declaration was made by Ruapehu District Council for the Ōhura Ward at 3.21am.
An emergency mobile alert was sent to Ōhura residents early in the morning, telling them to prepare to evacuate on their own accord. Six residents had left their homes, with the Ōhura Memorial Hall opened as a Civil Defence Centre.
Local resident Mike Crowley described the deluge as a "real cracker flash flood".
"It was knee deep at my place and waist deep or more on Tongaporutu Rd. There was strong current from there down to the main street," he told 1News.
About 100mm of rain had fallen in the Ruapehu District in the past 24 hours, with a heavy rain warning still in place.
The rain fell in the upper catchment of the Whanganui River, and that water is now flowing downstream toward Whanganui township.
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More than two dozen homes were evacuated and key state highways were closed for a period. (Source: 1News)
Flood levels were forecast to "come very close to the top or overtopping the stopbanks at Kōwhai Park," according to Civil Defence.
"Likely to close Whanganui River Rd and affect upper river areas where roads will be affected in several locations including at the Whanganui River Hunting and Food Festival at Pungarehu Marae.
Authorities urged residents of flood-prone areas locations to prepare to evacuate.
Designated areas for possible evacuation in Whanganui included the lower area of Whanganui East, Anzac Parade, the lower area of Taupo Quay and the lower boardwalk areas, and Upper River communities.
Lower areas of Pūtiki, which may have water across roads and through marae/kohanga reo locations, were also part of the designated evacuation areas.
"Residents who wish to proactively evacuate are encouraged to do so to whānau or friends in the first instance. Emergency evacuation centres will be at St Paul’s Church in Guyton St and Whanganui Girls’ College,
"Whanganui East, and will open later this morning. Partners are working with vulnerable communities, including our homeless."
Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence said river level modelling from Horizons Regional Council indicated flood protection assets would need to be deployed in Whanganui township. High tide is due at 11.04am, which will also affect river levels.
Horizons had a team prepared to deploy at 7am to put flood protection infrastructure in place if needed. The New Zealand Defence Force had also deployed assets to Whanganui, while Red Cross and NZRT4 were deploying to Ruapehu to assist.
Civil Defence said heavy rain had caused slips and flooding throughout the region overnight, but a full picture of the damage would only become clear once daylight allowed assessments to be carried out. Roads were expected to be closed.
Awakino Gorge closed
State Highway 3 will remain closed through the Awakino Gorge after more rain overnight caused further slips and flooding.
NZTA said crews were continuing to assess the route with trucks and excavators currently working to clear lanes.
"Within the first kilometre of the gorge, 25 truckloads of material have been removed from the road, with additional material still to be removed," an NZTA spokesperson said.
The severe weather extends beyond Manawatū-Whanganui.
MetService has an orange heavy rain warning in place for the eastern Bay of Plenty, with 80 to 110mm of rain expected east of the Whakatane River between 6am and 4pm.
Heavy rain watches also cover parts of Auckland, Gisborne and South Canterbury, with a moderate chance of those being upgraded to warnings.
The forecaster said a front followed by several active troughs was driving the unsettled conditions. MetService is scheduled to update its warnings at 10am.
Civil Defence urged people in the Manawatū-Whanganui region to take care, avoid floodwater and follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services.
In Wellington yesterday morning, heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across parts of the region, forcing sections of several state highways to close and more than two dozen homes to be evacuated.
Wellington Region Emergency Management said 25 homes in Stokes Valley and one home in Porirua had been evacuated.
Residents in Stokes Valley described a sudden and intense downpour around 9am, with water levels rising within minutes as drains and manholes failed under pressure. In multiple streets, stormwater burst through manhole covers and cracked concrete, sending muddy water through driveways, garages and backyards.
State Highway 58 remained closed to traffic this morning due to localised flooding, but NZTA said the route was expected to reopen before 10am.
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