People in flood prone areas of Whanganui are on tenterhooks, after another intense downpour overnight.
"I had no idea what was going on until like 6pm last night, and then from then it was a frantic mission to get everything out," says Kowhai Park resident Donna Ellison
Schools are closed today and residents are being urged to be prepared to move out.
Earlier predictions, of historic flood levels, have been downgraded for now.
"We have a massive evacuation team ready, but we really have to assess the data, last night at about 1030 the Papariki gauge was modelled to be at about 19.7 meters which would have been massive, probably the biggest flood Whanganui has experienced in living memory, in history. That's been now moderated a bit, they are looking at 13.5 which will peak at sometime this afternoon, which means tonight, Whanganui may still be flooded, we are really thinking that Taupo Quay will still be flooded," says Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall.
