MEDIA RELEASE - RAIN EVENT July 2013 #2

Thursday 11 July, 2013

Farmers asked to move stock from floodway

Horizons Regional Council has issued a warning for farmers in the Moutoa floodway to move stock and drop fences in preparation for a gate opening tomorrow morning.

Horizons group manager operations Allan Cook says the Council’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and staff will continue to monitor the situation overnight.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on the Region’s river levels and rain is falling similar to what was forecast. A further 40 to 50mm is expected in the upper Manawatu River catchment.

“We have a crew on standby to open the Moutoa floodgates. This is likely to occur around 7.30am tomorrow.

“All affected farmers have been notified and our advice is that all stock should be moved out of the Moutoa floodway before dark tonight.”

The Manawatu River is expected to peak at 6.4 metres at around 10am tomorrow. The Rangitikei River and Oroua Rivers are also up, with expected peaks of 6.2 metres and 3.7 metres respectively.

Mr Cook says the Pohangina River will restrict access across Raumai Bridge on Valley Road if it reaches the predicted level of 4.2 metres at around 7.30 tonight. However, this is only likely to occur for a couple of hours.

SH 56 at Opiki is also likely to be closed [Corrected - not SH 47 as originally advised] by Manawatu River flooding from 10pm. Members of the public are advised to exercise caution on the Region’s roads and check the AA’s website http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch for information on road closures.

Horizons is working closely with district and city councils in the affected areas and will provide further updates to the public should the situation change.

Up-to-date information on river heights and rainfall is also available via Horizons 24 hour toll-free Waterline 0508 4 FLOOD or via website www.horizons.govt.nz

Ends

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