Whanganui evacuated residents and businesses will be able to return home from 8am this morning, the Whanganui District Council has announced.
Cordons will be lifted by 11am. Volunteers are on hand to help people move back into their homes or businesses. People wanting help should call the council on 06 349 0001.
"The good news is the Whanganui River levels dropped significantly overnight and there is no longer a risk of flooding in low lying areas of our city," Civil Defence Controller Kym Fell said.
Mr Fell says the State of Emergency introduced on Monday night will remain in place for now.
"We are asking people to continue being patient. We need to do a series of infrastructure checks to bridges and remove the cordons set up yesterday afternoon."
"We also need to restore power and gas to affected properties in Anzac Parade, Putiki and Taupo Quay."
Mr Fell says the response from residents and business owners has been fantastic.
"They've been incredibly co-operative during the evacuation so we'll be completing checks and removing cordons as soon as we can."
"Everyone has been so community-minded. They evacuated themselves quickly and helped friends and neighbours move their precious possessions. Other residents offered beds and support."
"It really was a textbook response and I want to pay tribute to the preparedness and planning of our Civil Defence, our emergency services, defence force members and volunteers.
"The threat of flooding was very real and the warnings were based on hydrologist reports, readings of the river levels and forecasted weather patterns."
A total of 212 people reported into Civil Defence after evacuating low lying areas of Anzac Parade and Putiki yesterday afternoon.
Taupo Quay in the Central Business District from Wilson Street to Victoria Avenue was closed and cordons put in place.
Local road information
Taupo Quay, from Wilson Street to Victoria Avenue, and from Victoria Avenue to Guyton Street is closed.
Dublin Street Bridge is open.
Whanganui City Bridge is open, except to heavy traffic which is advised to use the Cobham Bridge.
State Highway information
State Highway 4 is closed along Anzac Parade between Hakeke Street and Purua Street and closed from the Whanganui River Road/State Highway 4 intersection to Raetihi.
State Highway 3 is open
Please refer to www.nzta.govt.nz for more information on state highway roading conditions. For local road conditions, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz
Schools
Schools and pre-schools in Whanganui are open today, except for those in the evacuation zones. These are: Whanganui Girls' College, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Atihauanui-A-Paparangi, Putiki Kindergarten, Te Kohanga Reo Putiki Wharanui and St Anne's Catholic School. We do advise parents to contact school and early childhood centres directly - or check their websites or Facebook pages for updates.
Slips
There may be a number of other roads closed throughout our district due to surface flooding and slips. Please refer to www.nzta.govt.nz for more information on state highway
roading conditions. For local road conditions, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz
Parks
All Whanganui District Council sports grounds are closed.