SH1 between Hunterville and Taihape remains open under a 30km/h speed restriction.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urged road users to take care because of debris and slippery surfaces.
Drivers can check Journey Planner on the NZTA website or NZTA’s Facebook page for the latest state highway conditions.
Power outages
As of 6.45am Wednesday, 638 properties in the Whanganui area were without power.
Powerco crews worked into Tuesday evening to restore power.
Areas yet to have power restored include Hunterville with nearly 250 properties, Mangamahu (201) and Bulls (111).
Trees that have fallen through lines, downed trees and debris blocking access are the main obstacles for fault crews trying to restore power to customers.
Tree contractors from outside the affected areas are joining local crews to help with the restoration effort.
There were 3284 Whanganui properties without power at midday on Tuesday.
Conserve water
Residents of Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville and Rātana are asked to continue to conserve water until further notice.
The regular water truck that supplies water for Marton residents at the Marton Memorial Hall has been directed to support other towns in the Rangitīkei District and will not be available for Marton until further notice.
Parks
Whanganui’s Kōwhai Park will remain closed until February 21.
The playground area has been heavily affected by fallen tree branches and debris, making it unsafe.
Rotokawau Virginia Lake, Williams Domain, Hyltons Pit and the Lake Wiritoa beach area are closed until further notice.
Other parks in Whanganui, including Bason Botanic Gardens, Westmere Lake, Pukenamu Queen’s Park and all sports grounds, are now open.
All parks and reserves in the Rangitīkei District remain closed until further notice.
Next steps
A large tree has fallen on the cycleway at Ūpokongaro, making it inaccessible until the extent of the damage is assessed.
A crane is expected to remove the tree on Thursday.
Horizons Regional Council has asked people to bring river damage reports to its river scheme meetings.
Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard said damage to river and drainage scheme assets would become visible as the water receded.
“While our staff will be out and about doing asset inspections, landowners and others in the community will have damage they can already report,” Roygard said.
“The sooner we get reports of damage, the better information we have for planning recovery works.”
Scheme meeting details:
Ruapehu District: 4pm February 23 at the Peaks Motor Inn Conference Centre in Ohakune.
Rangitīkei District: 9am February 26 at Horizons Regional Council office in Marton.
Lower Whanganui area: 2pm February 26 at Whanganui War Memorial Centre.
People unable to attend the meetings can report damage by emailing rivermanagementinfo@horizons.govt.nz or calling freephone 0508 800 800.
Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
