'It's getting pretty bad down here': Heavy rain causes flooding in Whanganui and Rangitīkei

Parts of State Highway 3 near Turakina were flooded on Monday night. Photo / Bevan Conley

Heavy rain has caused slips and flooding in Whanganui and Rangitīkei.

Hone Tamehana, owner of the Kaumatua Flats on Pūtiki Drive said all residents had been evacuated after guidance from Civil Defence.

Around 10 people were at the property and were all evacuated around 9pm.

Most have now been relocated to a Civil Defence shelter.

"It's really bad down here, worse than what we had in 2015," Tamehana said.

Kaumatua Flats on Pūtiki Drive Photo / Bevan Conley

Meanwhile, Franklin Rd, off State Highway 3 near Turakina, is impassable with water above knee level.

"It's getting pretty bad down here and I think it's supposed to get worse later tonight," Turakina resident Gavin Watt said.

He said he was prepared to evacuate his property.

"The dog kennel was flooded, it's lucky I got to him," Watt said.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Mike Wanoa said most of the flooding in Turakina was left to the council to attend to.

"Most of it was off the main road," he said. "We have had some flooding as well in Marton."

Heavy rain has caused flooding in Whanganui and Rangitīkei. Photo / Bevan Conley

Wanoa said there was also flooding in residential areas of Whanganui, including Pūtiki.

"There was a stage where the police was considering evacuating people but nothing has escalated at this point in time.

"[Fire and emergency] are still at one property in Parsons St where there is flooding threatening a house."

Whanganui District Council said there was surface flooding and road closures in the district.

Heads Rd in Whanganui is closed between Rogers St and the railway line and surface flooding is impacting businesses in this area.

Mill Rd is closed between Mosston Rd and Manuka St due to flooding.

The council said to avoid travel if possible.

"We are receiving a large number of calls related to this rain event."

"If your home or business is being impacted by surface flooding you can contact us on 06 349 0001, but please keep this line open for urgent calls only this evening."

Heavy rain has caused flooding in Whanganui and Rangitīkei. Photo / Bevan Conley

There are multiple slips on State Highway 3 north of Rātana, where the cliff face has crumbled onto the road.

The road is currently reduced to one lane.

A police officer at the scene said contractors were on the way.

SH3 is also closed at Warrengate Rd south of Whanganui with a detour in place via Fordell.

SH3 WHANGANUI TO TURAKINA, MANAWATŪ-WHANGANUI - FLOODING - FINAL UPDATE 7:15AM, TUE 14 SEP Please check our latest post...

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Central North Island on Monday, September 13, 2021