Monitoring to continue overnight

Heavy rain is continuing to fall across the lower part of the Horizons Region, with Wanganui, the lower Manawatu and the Rangitikei District identified as areas of focus for emergency management teams.

Local states of emergency have been declared for Wanganui and the Rangitikei District with teams working to evacuate residents in Anzac Parade in Wanganui and Koitiata in Rangitikei.

The Whanganui River is currently flowing at a height of 15.5 metres at the Pipiriki monitoring site as rain continues to fall. This is expected to flow through to Town Bridge at around 1am and will coincide with the high tide.

All the river systems in the Region are currently under observation and this monitoring will be continue throughout the night.

Please see Facebook page www.facebook.com/civildefencemanawatuwanganui for the latest updates across the Region.

For information regarding road closures please see the NZTA website http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html or AA Road Watch http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch

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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