Work continues on the clean-up of Anzac Parade properties. Volunteers who can assist residents with heavy lifting and silt removal are needed. People who can assist should contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator on 349 3055.
Work is continuing on clearing the Kowhai Park stopbanks and access road areas. It will take some weeks for work at the park to be completed. The public is asked to stay away from Kowhai Park as heavy machinery is operating.
In Portal Street on Thursday evening two containers were put in place to stop material from the hillside slipping on to Portal Street, between Anzac Parade and Forres Street. Both lanes of Portal Street are open but there are speed restrictions and cones and barriers in place so motorists are urged to drive with caution. Engineers are assessing longer-term options for dealing with the slip area, with a decision likely some time next week.
In other areas, short-term closures of roads may be required at times while slips and debris are removed.
In the rural areas the Ruapehu-Wanganui Rural Support Trust is available to help people, particularly farmers, in the rural area who require assistance. Phone 0800 787 254. The trust has set up a base in the Ministry for Primary Industries office at 60 Ridgway Street.
The next supply drop to isolated areas is scheduled for Thursday.
Red Cross personnel will visit rural residents over the weekend to check on their welfare. Members of the Red Cross National Disaster Team will be assisting the local personnel over the weekend.
Other points for council
Welfare
The Flood Welfare Hub is operating from the ground floor of Terrace House, 133 Wicksteed Street. Agencies available at the Hub are: Ministry of Social Development, Housing NZ, Te Puni Kokiri, Inland Revenue and Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority.
Any businesses affected by the floods and which may be late in filing returns are encouraged to visit the Inland Revenue representative at the Hub for assistance.
Contact numbers are:
Work and Income 0800 559 009
Inland Revenue 0800 473 566
The welfare team is making contact with everyone who has registered as evacuating their property to check whether they have any additional requirements. The team is also considering any longer term health needs in the isolated areas.
For older people needing assistance or support, please contact Age Concern, phone 345 1799.
Building inspections
The building team has categorised buildings using coloured notices:
• Red: Entry prohibited (building is at risk from external hazard or has been seriously damaged) = 19 buildings
• Yellow: Restricted access (need to check with power, gas and insurance provider before occupying) = 135 buildings
• White: No restrictions = 80 buildings.
The EQC has engaged Tonkin and Taylor to carry out an assessment on each of the properties that has been issued a Dangerous Building Notice. Property owners are asked to provide a copy of this assessment to the Council.
Road closures
Our roading crews are hard at work clearing access to our rural roads and will be on the job over the weekend unless conditions become too dangerous if there is significant rainfall.
The roads remain extremely dangerous and slips are continuing to come down. Any rain or wind is affecting the work that has already been done. There are also underslips which may not be apparent. We urge residents to use the roads only if it is absolutely essential and to drive with extreme caution. Newly opened roads are suitable for rough 4WD access only. If there is any significant rain in the next few days, some of these roads will be closed for safety reasons.
We request the general public to keep off the rural roads and refrain from sightseeing. Please do not move road signs or barricades. If there is a road closed sign in place, it means there is no access to that road.
Rural
• State Highway 4 - from Kaimatira Road to Raetihi
• No 3 Line, from the urban boundary to Kaimatira Road
• Whanganui River Road - Koriniti to Pipiriki
• Papaiti Road (half open) to Kauarapaoa Road
• Ahu Ahu Valley Road (three-quarters open)
• Watershed Road (90% open)
• Creek Road (three-quarters open)
• Bruce Road (half open)
• Languard Bluff Road
• Kai Iwi Valley Road (open for utmost emergency access only)
Urban
• All urban roads are open.
Walkways closed
• Anzac Parade - City Bridge to Georgetti Road
• St John's Hill cycleway SH4/Victoria Avenue
• Taylor Street walkway
• Alexa Place walkway
• Greenbelt walkway - Alexa Place to Smart Terrace
• Kowhai Park walkways
Silt build up
Disposal of silt from private property is the owner's responsibility. We urge residents not to put silt on the grass verge or road as this is likely to block the stormwater drainage system that drains the roads and surrounding properties.
Bullocks Yard in Taupo Quay is open to assist residents wishing to dispose of silt. Where possible, silt should be taken to this location. This service is for residents only.
To be safe, treat all silt as potentially contaminated and wear rubber gloves and protective clothing.
Contractors who need to dispose of large quantities of silt should contact the Emergency Operations Centre, phone 349 0001. Contractors cannot use the Bullocks disposal facility.
Disposal of damaged goods from residences and businesses
Disposal of goods and furniture is the responsibility of householders and business owners. Please do not put damaged goods on the road.
Budget Waste is offering discounted rates at the Gilberd Street transfer station for disposal of flood damaged materials. Standard charges will be discounted by 20% for flood damaged materials only until closing time on Sunday, 12 July 2015. Queries can be made to Budget Waste on 344 4201.
Please contact other waste disposal companies directly for details of their disposal charges, skip hire and other services.
Volunteers are available to help occupiers of affected properties with the clean-up. Please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on 349 3055 if you need assistance.
Minor flooding of properties
Residential sections that have been subject to flood water and silt can be treated by spreading hydrated lime to remove odour and some contaminants. Contact the Council if you have any concerns about your property.
Insurance claims
For those who have insurance, it is advised to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and make a claim.
For those who do not have insurance, it is advised that you contact Work and Income New Zealand, who are available to assess anyone in difficulty and offer advice.
Important notice regarding dust
Patrick O'Connor, Medical Officer of Health, Public Health:
As silt dries, dust is becoming a notable feature of the clean-up.
Evidence, based on studies of liquefaction exposed to sewage in Christchurch, indicates a low risk of bacterial and viral infection to public.
There may be irritant effects, especially to eyes, nose, and throat. Some individuals are more susceptible than others. Goggles and masks may be needed in some circumstances. Wet wiping of surfaces minimises dust exposure. Careful hand-washing is recommended after direct contact with the dust.
Temporary accommodation
Any evacuated residents needing long-term temporary accommodation can talk to Housing New Zealand at the Flood Welfare Hub on the ground floor of Terrace House at 133 Wicksteed Street.
Volunteer assistance
We urgently need volunteers who can assist with heavy lifting and silt removal, particularly on weekdays when many of our existing volunteers are not available.
• All volunteers are being co-ordinated through the Emergency Recovery Office.
• If you are able to volunteer, please call the Volunteer Co-ordinator on (06) 349 3055.
• If you need help with cleaning up after the flood, the Volunteer Co-ordinator can put you in touch with people who have registered to assist. Phone (06) 349 3055.
• Volunteers are asked to provide shovels, wheelbarrows and gumboots where they can.
Volunteer assistance criteria
Volunteers may be allocated to assist private property owners under the following understanding:
Information to property owners
• Volunteers working on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
• Owners are advised that there is no have knowledge of the background of the volunteers.
• The owner is responsible for health and safety of persons working on their property i.e. don't ask them to do anything that could result in injury.
Information to volunteers
• Volunteers shouldn't have to do any work for the owner that they consider dangerous or risky.
• It is possible volunteers will be asked when on site to carry out tasks that are not related to the flooding. It is up to the discretion of the volunteer whether they agree to do the work. They are encouraged to limit their assistance to the flooding event.
• On completion of the task please report to the Supervisor that the work has been completed.
Donations
Donations to assist people affected by the floods can be made to the Mayor's Special Fund:
Westpac 03 0791 0355050 04.
This fund will be available to support people with their more immediate needs.
Water
All Wanganui District tap water is safe to drink. Some leaks are occurring in mains in the urban area as the ground moves and settles. Any leaks should be reported to the Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001.
Power
Power has been restored to customers throughout the district. However, parts of the network remain fragile and are being monitored.
Please visit the Powerco website for updates: www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults.
Contact information
Key agencies involved in the response are working to keep their online resources, such as websites and Facebook pages, as current as possible. We encourage people to 'bookmark' these sites for information on this and future events.
Wanganui District Council
www.wanganui.govt.nz
www.facebook.com/wanganuidistrictcouncil
www.facebook.com/yourmayorannettemain
Civil Defence Emergency Management Facebook Pages
www.facebook.com/civildefencemanawatuwanganui
www.facebook.com/nzgetthru
NZTA - Highway Information
www.nzta.govt.nz or 0800 4 HIGHWAYS
Roading authorities are urging road users to take extra care when driving through the Manawatu-Wanganui region. Users are reminded that road conditions in an emergency are inconsistent and to check on-line resources for highway or roadway information before travelling.
Horizons Regional Council - River Levels
www.horizons.govt.nz/choose-river-rainfall-chart
ENDS