Flood threat closes Huntly College

Rising flood levels in the Waikato River forced the closure of Huntly College today and the school will be shut again tomorrow.

Stopbanks were put in place after the river burst its banks and badly flooded the college 10 years ago, but the school and its grounds are lower than the river level.

Today the high water table was forcing seepage through the ground, with mini lakes forming on the riverside of the school.

Principal Tim Foy alerted pupils and parents to the closure by email yesterday.

He said he was worried about the dangers of sewage and mud and concerned about predicted river peaks.

Environment Waikato staff remain on high alert as river levels continue to increase in the lower reaches of the Waikato and Waipa and rain continues to fall in the catchment areas.

Some low-lying dairy farms already have water-cover paddocks.

- NZPA