The rapidly rising river levels at Mangamahu, east of Wanganui, are bringing back memories of 2004 for sheep and beef farmers Donald and Liz Polson.
When asked what the levels of the Mangawhero Steam were doing Mr Polson said: "Giving me the shits.''
At midday today Mr Polson said the level of the Mangawhero at his farm on Te Rimu Road that runs between Aberfeldy on SH4 and
Mangamahu stood at 5.75 metres and rising. The Mangawhero Stream feeds into the Whangaehu River.
"When it gets over 6m we're usually in the shit and it's still raining,'' Mr Polson said.
"And at Aranui Station (in the upper reaches of Mangamahu) the Whangaehu River is heading toward the 7m
alarm level - it's at 6.75m. We will be keeping an eye on stock over the next few
hours.''