Marton residents are holding their breath hoping a looming flood will not hit on the same scale as the disastrous events of 2015.
Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson declared a state of civil emergency in the small town at 4.40pm on Tuesday.
At a briefing between council staff, regional council engineers and police, it was a case of be prepared, take all precautions and hope for the best.
"It could be we've dodged a bullet but we won't know until the next weather data update," Mr Watson said.
![Rangitkei Mayor Andy Watson](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/3KSWSDQLIEDOMKF77IBRX2ARP4.jpg?auth=38f9be0b603a354ea4b59d6698930b805f9e67c0212a38a2c8e7a531260e495a&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)