NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has reopened State Highway 1 between Hunterville and Taihape after fallen trees blocked the road on Monday. Photo / NZTA
Some key highways have reopened with limited access and power is restored for thousands as the Whanganui-Manawatū region begins to recover from a severe storm.
State Highway 1 has reopened between Hunterville and Weka St in Taihape, with stop/go traffic management in multiple places and speed restrictions.
SH3 between Makirikiri Rd and Pukepapa Rd, near Lake Alice, reopened yesterday afternoon after fallen trees blocked part of it.
Taihape-Napier Rd has also reopened.
Several highways remain closed, with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) expecting an update on Tuesday afternoon.
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 3284 Whanganui properties were still without power at midday on Tuesday.
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.
Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said on Tuesday afternoon his council was still in response mode, unlike most other councils that had moved to recovery mode.
“We are still dealing with new issues virtually every day at the moment,” he said.
Watson said welfare checks and working to restore power were the priorities on Tuesday.
“The single biggest damage is the number of power outages across the Rangitīkei - we have pockets of Marton and Taihape without power and Rātana, as a community, without power,” Watson said.
“Some of the isolated properties may be without power for a week - this is very, very significant damage.”
The council had two teams in Rātana on Monday night to check on residents’ welfare.
Watson said the district’s rivers’ water levels had lowered after concerns on Monday night, particularly with the Turakina River.
He said the council was aware of several isolated paddocks which had flooded.
“I don’t know the impact on things like maize crops yet but ... I think our dairy farms have been able to keep milking with the use of generators,” he said.
Watson was “absolutely confident” the district would be able to recover from the severe weather event.
“We are resilient, my thanks go to staff - when you get to day three, you start to get really tired,” he said.
“Also, thanks to farmers because a number of roads have been opened by, literally, farmers bringing down a tractor and chainsaw and clearing paths.”
Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.