SH4 Parapara between Whanganui and Raetihi remains closed this morning, as is SH54 between Vinegar Hill and Cheltenham.
NZTA has urged road users to take care on the roads.
“If you do need to drive today, please continue to do so with care. While many roads are open, be aware of the potential for debris or slips. Take care out there and drive to the conditions.”
Crews are continuing to inspect slips and fallen trees on the roads.
“While we want to restore access as quickly as possible, that needs to be done safely.”
Drivers can check Journey Planner on the NZTA website or NZTA’s Facebook page for the latest state highway conditions.
Power outages
Power has been restored to more than 4000 properties in the area but 3321 properties were still without power this morning.
Powerco said crews made steady progress to restore power to customers on Monday evening and would continue to do so today.
Conserve water
The Fordell water supply is back in action after residents were advised to conserve water yesterday.
Whanganui District Council has generators providing power to the water supply until Powerco can fix the issue. Clean drinking water has been added to the tank to ensure a sufficient supply.
Residents of Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville and Rātana are asked to continue to conserve water until further notice.
Parks closed
Whanganui’s Kowhai Park will be closed until February 21.
The playground area has been heavily affected by fallen tree branches and debris, making it unsafe.
Rotokawau Virginia Lake and Bason Botanic Gardens remain closed until further notice.
All parks and reserves in the Rangitīkei District are closed until further notice.
Weather forecast
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the region had had the worst of the storm, as the weather system moved south.
“That low-pressure system has now moved away from the North Island, so over the next couple of days it is an improving trend,” she said.
She said the forecast for today and tomorrow was “generally dry” with the possibility of light isolated showers and cloudy conditions.
The region’s inland areas may get prolonged showers today and heavier showers tomorrow afternoon, Makgabutlane said.
Temperature highs of 23C and 22C are expected for Whanganui today and tomorrow, respectively.
Inland areas such as Taihape and Ohakune have expected highs of 18C for both days.
Next steps
Whanganui Civil Defence emergency manager Tim Crowe said today’s focus was on re-establishing power and roading links to areas.
He said crews were working to open roads in areas such as Parikino and Mangamahu, which were hit hard by the storm.
“We are looking at some other options to get some support in there,” Crowe said.
The Whanganui River was never a concern, he said.
However, authorities were “keeping a very close eye” on the Whangaehu and Turakina rivers.
“[The rivers] came up last night and now they are going down, which I’m very pleased with,” he said.
Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
