Flood

Heavy rain and ensuing slips have crippled major roads in the central North Island, including stretches of State Highways 1, 2 and 3.

Overnight rain and strong winds continued through today, hammering large parts of the island, such as Horowhenua, Manawatu, Rangitikei and Wairarapa.

As of 4pm, New Zealand Land Trasnport Agency advised that the Manawatu Gorge (SH3) had been closed by a “fairly large” rock slip, cutting access between Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay. The alternative Pahiatua Track was also closed.

To the south, the link between Manawatu and Wairarapa had been blocked by flooding between Pahiatua and Eketahuna.

To the west, sections of State Highway 1 were near closure, with surface flooding and slips near Ohakea, Sanson.

If SH1 was to close, it would effectively cut offf road transport links between Wellington and Manawatu and the rest of the North Island.

Motorists needing to head north from Wellington are advised to go up the coast from Wellington, though surface flooding and slips between Levin and Linton was also affecting the flow of traffic.

Other roads, including State Highways 56 and 57 are proving hard for motorists to pass.

(For a full list of road conditions, as of 4pm Monday, scroll to the bottom of this story).

ACTION TAKEN Manawatu District Council actioned stage 1 of its Makino Flood Action Plan for the first time ever.

It involves opening a spillway to relieve flooding. Areas around Feilding and Rongotea, near Palmerston North, experienced surface and property flooding.

Tararua District Councoil activated its emergency management centre to deal with the “significant amount of rain”.

Rain was forecasted to ease, but some river levels had yet to reach their peaks.

SCHOOLS SHUT Schools closed today because of flooding included Tararua College, Ruahine School,.

Mangamaire School and Coley St School.

Mangamaire School principal Kirsty Silvester said the move was largely precautionary. ''The school's not in danger, but a lot of our kids live on the other side of rivers and are not able to come in,'' she said.

The school would remain closed today, but staff hoped to reopen tomorrow. ''The rain's supposed to ease by tomorrow,'' she said.

Ms Silvester said some local families had been cut off by a slip in Tutaekara.

Coley Street School in Foxton also closed - for most of the day - because of the deluge.

Office manager Pam Payne said the school’s 275 students had been sent home as floodwaters came on to school property from a nearby drain.

Work had already begun on protecting the school with sandbags. The school’s astroturf field was also damaged, she said.

FLOODING WIDESPREAD There are also numerous reports of flooding in and around Levin as well as rural Manawatu areas around Palmerston North and Feilding.

Floodwaters are threatening up to 12 homes in Marton, with residents told to prepare to evacuate.

Civil Defence has set up near the affected area on Hendersons Line, and is evaluating the situation, police central communications inspector Mike Coleman said.

A slip covered both lanes of Ngahere Park Rd in Turitea, near Palmerston North this afternoon. There was also flooding on Turitea Rd, near the old water treatment plant.

In southern Wairarapa, torrential rain and gale force winds have raised river levels in the region, NO RESPITE FROM RAIN Horizons Regional Council, which covers a large part of the central North Island, says conditions could get worse before they get better.

Council staff are monitoring river levels as heavy rain continues to fall in parts of the region this afternoon. ''We are expecting up to 100mm more rain to fall in the Tararuas and between 60-80mm in the Ruahines. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond as appropriate," Horizons emergency manager Allan Cook said.

He said that if rain continued as predicted, the council would need to open the Motoa Flood Gates. ''We may need to open the gates in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Staff are preparing for this event and will keep the public informed of the situation,'' he said.

People are advised to exercise caution on the roads and avoid rivers and streams, which could rise rapidly.

Flooding has also been reported in Otaki, after the Waitohu Stream breached its banks early today. One home has been flooded, with others threatened by water. State Highway 1 remains open.

WATER SUPPLY AFFECTED The harsh weather has also forced the closure of the Levin Water Treatment Plant meaning residents in Horowhenua and outlying areas are being urged to boil drinking water.

Because of the plant shutdown, residents need to boil water for at least three minutes before drinking it to save the spread of bugs and disease.

Meanwhile, motorists are still being urged to drive with care throughout Manawatu and Horowhenua as the flooding continues to take its toll.

Roads have been closed, at least one rural school has cut classes for the day and farmers have lost stock as a result of the rough weather that hit the region overnight.

Apart from SH2 near, State Highways 57 and 56 are also affected by flooding, with police slowing down drivers and closing sections of the roads.

Motorists are being urged to stay off SH 56 and 57.

Mangahao, Mangaore, and Potts roads, near Shannon have been closed, while the Horowhenua District Council reports that Waikawa Beach Road is still passable and that Taylor St, Foxton Beach, Okaritio Ave and Atichson Ave in Levin, have been affected by surface flooding.

MAJOR SLIP Horowhenua District Council communications manager Raewyn Perry said Mangahao Rd was badly affected by a major slip. ''At this stage all we know is that the entire road has been covered,'' she said.

Ohau River at Kuku Beach Rd has burst in banks and is being closely monitored.

Other roads in Levin and Foxton have also been reported to have surface flooding.

Mrs Perry said the waste water treatment plant closure was a precautionary measure and a bore water notice would be sent out.

Mangatainoka River, near Larsons Rd, is nearing tipping point, with surface flooding in the area being reported.

SCHOOLS CLOSED Kimberley Rd, near Levin, and Nikau Rd, in Mangamaire, have been reported to have washouts across the roads - one of which has seen Managamaire School engulfed in water.

Principal Kirsty Silvester said classes had been cancelled today because many children living in outlying areas had been cut off from accessing the school. ''The school's not in danger, but a lot of our kids live on the other side of rivers and are not able to come in,'' she said.

The school would remain closed today, but staff hoped to reopen tomorrow. ''The rain's supposed to ease by tomorrow,'' she said.

Ms Silvester said some local families had been cut off by a slip in Tutaekara.

There are also reports that Coley Street School in Foxton has also closed for the day, because of the deluge.

State Highway Network Update as at 4pm. Source: NZTA Note any new incidents we have been notified of are Black, Closures are shown in Red, Updates will be shown in Blue Manawatu Gorge - CLOSED • SH3– Manawatu Gorge – CLOSED • Gorge Detour Routes if required: SADDLE RD down to one lane on Woodville side due to a slip but currently passable, contractors on site clearing. TDC have advised access to PAHIATUA TRACK unlikely on Tararua side due to many road closures in this area.

Horowhenua • SH1 – Koputaroa – Surface Flooding • SH1 – Reports of Flooding SH1/Kimberly across both lanes • SH56 – Opiki Straights - flooding • SH57 – flooding 1km south Tokomaru • SH57 – Levin to Linton reports of slips and flooding • SH57 – Roadside drain flooding at Shannon.

Manawatu • SH1/3 Ohakea to Sanson Surface Flooding • SH1/3 Intersection Sanson – Surface Flooding • SH1 – Oroua Downs – Surface flooding on southbound lane • SH1 – Rosina Road intersection flooding both lanes • SH3 – Newbury – Surface Flooding – one lane at passing lane.

• SH3 – Surface flooding near RRR Engineering • SH3 Awahuri – drains full – possibility of flooding • SH3 – 5km south of Sanson (Mt Stewart) small slips and flooding • SH3 – Near Mt Stewart Memorial – Slip • SH54 – Newbury/Milson Line Intersection – flooding ¾ across Palmerston North bound lane • SH56 – Opiki Straights - flooding

Palmerston North • SH56– Longburn to Palmerston North – Roadside drains flooding • SH57– Camp Road intersection flooding • SH57 – Levin to Linton reports of slips and surface flooding Rangitikei • SH1– Calico Line Marton – Closed due to flooding – Detour in place through RDC local roads, however there is a possibility of closure. RDC and Contractors working to try keep open.

• SH3– Ratana – Open to one lane – Flooding and Large Slip • SH1 – Mangaweka – Minor Rock Falls • SH1 Vinegar Hill – Fallen Trees and Slips affecting both Lanes • SH1 – Coleman Road Intersection Marton, Flooding both lanes • SH1– Hunterville – possible blocked drain.

• SH3– Turakina Flooding across both lanes Tararua • SH2– Pahiatua To Eketahuna – Closed due to flooding especially the Konini Area, detour routes unavailable as also affected by flooding.

Wanganui • SH3– Wanganui south – Closed due to local stream flooding.

• SH3- Wanganui west from Kai Iwi to Maxwell, slip in passing lane