All roads in and out of Wanganui are closed due to severe weather conditions.
Flooding, slips and fallen trees have closed SH3 Whanganui to Bulls, SH4 Whanganui to Raetihi SH3 Patea to Hawera, SH1 Bulls to Hunterville, SH54 Vinegar Hill to Cheltenham, Whanganui River Rd, Mangamahu Rd, Waitotara Valley Rd, Anzac Pde between Portal St and Georgetti Rd, and numerous other urban roads.
People have been evacuated in parts of Putiki, Wanganui East, Aramoho and Brunswick, and a Red Cross evacuation centre has been set up at St Paul's Church in Guyton St.
Wanganui District Council Civil Defence is asking people to stay indoors and not travel unless they absolutely have to.
"We are advising people to keep away from floodwaters, which may be contaminated with sewerage," spokeswoman Cass Alexander said.