MEDIA RELEASE - RAIN EVENT October 2013 #5

Thursday 17 October, 2013

Damage assessment to take place as water levels drop

Horizons Regional Council is moving into damage assessment mode as water levels drop throughout the Region over the next few days.

Incident controller Ged Shirley says Horizons is aware of some key issues throughout the Region but a full assessment will be done as part of the recovery process.

“We will be starting with a review of what needs to be done to strengthen weakened stopbanks in Wanganui and expect to discuss options later today. Further discussions with Wanganui District Council about these options will be taking place on Friday,” he says.

“Works we undertake at this time are likely to be a temporary measure to withstand any extra pressure following this event until permanent measures are put in place.”

Mr Shirley says an aerial survey of the lower Whanganui, Whangaehu and Turakina catchments yesterday has shown extensive flooding in rural areas of the lower Turakina.

“Flood waters have broken out of the Turakina River and there is extensive ponding on farmland as a result. Operations staff will be assisting landowners drain flood waters back into the river today,” says Mr Shirley.

“We have also contacted the Ministry of Primary Industries with a view of outlining the damage to our rural communities following this event.”

Horizons staff will also be heading out to check and repair water monitoring sites following damage to the Pipiriki site in the upper Whanganui catchment.

“All residents and agencies who use the site for flood notifications were called yesterday and we will be letting them know once the site has been repaired, hopefully later today. In the meantime we are able to rely on sites at Te Rewa and Te Maire to warn us about rising water levels,” says Mr Shirley.

Up-to-date information on river heights and rainfall is also available via Horizons 24 hour toll-free Waterline 0508 4 FLOOD (0508 4 35003) or via website www.horizons.govt.nz

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