MEDIA RELEASE - RAIN EVENT July 2013 #3

Friday 12 July, 2013

Rain eases as the worst of the weather subsides

Rain has eased and river levels are dropping in the Pohangina and Oroua Rivers, with Horizons Regional Council set to make a decision on whether or not to open the Moutoa flood gates later in the morning.

Horizons group manager operations Allan Cook says “the rain eased two to three hours earlier than expected, with no significant rainfall recorded since around 9 last night”.

“We do have a crew on standby at the gates ready to operate if required. At the moment this is looking to be a precautionary measure and a decision on whether or not to open the gates will be made late in the morning.”

The Manawatu River is still rising at Horizons’ Upper Gorge and old Teachers’ College monitoring sites. Mr Cook says it is expected to peak at the old Teachers’ College site at 10am however this peak will be lower than initially forecast.

Flood peaks in the Pohangina,  Oroua and Rangitikei Rivers have well passed and there are no concerns around river levels in the rest of the Region.

Farmers in the Moutoa floodway are asked to keep stock out of the affected area until further advice.

Horizons will continue to monitor river levels and staff will be undertaking inspections from daylight to assess any damage arising from the floods. Further updates will be provided should the situation change.

Up-to-date information on river heights and rainfall is also available via Horizons 24 hour toll-free Waterline 0508 4 FLOOD or via website www.horizons.govt.nz

ENDS

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