News release
12 noon, 5 July 2006

THIS MEDIA RELEASE SUPERSEDES ALL EARLIER RELEASES

Wairarapa flood event – update no. 2

Heavy rain overnight is causing widespread flooding throughout Wairarapa particularly in south eastern areas.

Greater Wellington staff is constantly assessing the situation and monitoring river levels. Civil Defence centres have been activated in South Wairarapa and Masterton. Local councils are continuously assessing roads. Public are asked to contact their district council office for more detailed information on road closures. Information for the Greater Wellington region is online at
www.wrcdemg.govt.nz

Masterton District Council 06 378 9666
Carterton District Council 06 379 6626
South Wairarapa District Council 06 306 9611

Drivers are urged to take extreme care on all roads and to drive to conditions

Current road closures include:

District Road / Location Status Updated Comments
Carterton District
 Park Road Closed 10:30
- Ponatahi Road Closed 10:30
- Rocky Hills Road Closed 10:30 Slip
- Moreton Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Para Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Waihakete Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Dalefield Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Hodders Rd Marginal 10:30 4WD’s Only
- Somerset Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Hilton / Rutland Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Ngamutawa Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Brooklyn Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Upper Belvedere Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Te Wharau Rd Marginal 10:30 Slip 4WD Only
- Belvedere Rd near Cobden Rd Marginal 10:30 Surface Flood
- Rayners Rd Marginal 10:30 Wash Out
- Rimutaka Rd Open 10:30 Extreme Care
- Masterton Martinborough Rd Closed 10:30
- Clifton Grove Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Admiral Rd Marginal 10:30 Extreme Care
- Kaiwhata Road Closed 10:30
- Martinborough Longbush Rd Closed 10:30
- Te Whauru Rd Marginal 10:30 Surface Flood and Metal on the Road
- Carters Line Marginal 10:30
- Nixs Rd Marginal 10:30
- Te Puru Puru Rd Marginal 10:30 Surface Flood and metal on the Road

District Road / Location Status Updated Comments
Masterton District
- Masterton Stronvar Rd (from Castlepoint Rd to Le Pakaraka Rd) Closed 11:24
- Te Parae Rd Open 11:24
- Masterton Castlepoint Rd – Masterton Stronvar Rd to Bennetts Hill Closed 11:24
- Masterton Stronvar Rd at Brancepeth Bridge Closed 11:24 Surface Flood
- Opaki Kaiparoro Rd at Jacksons Line and Dreyers Rock Rd Closed 11:24 Surface Flood

District Road / Location Status Updated Comments
South Wairarapa District  Huangarua Bridge @ Ponatahi Rd Closed 10:50
- Hinakura Rd Marginal 10:50 4WD’s Only
- SH53 between Wards Line and “the Gums Farm” Marginal 10:50 One Lane
- Whakarua Rd Closed 10:50
- No 1 Line Closed 10:50
- Tora Rd (Coastal End) Closed 10:50 Coastal End
- Martinborough / Longbush Rd closed at Popes Head Closed 10:50 Closed at Popes Head
- Cape Palliser Rd at Te Kopi Closed 10:50 Closed at Te Kopi
- Bidwills Cutting Rd @ Bush House Marginal 10:50 One Lane
- Bush Gully Rd Closed 10:50
- Moeraki Rd Closed 10:50
- Pukio Floodway Closed 10:50

The Huangarua River is currently holding steady at a level of 4.5 metres. The Ruamahanga River at Martinborough is at a level of 5 metres. The Lower Valley floodways are all operational.

The latest MetService report is predicting 10-12mm per hour for the next 2 to 3 hours in the hills.

In the 6 to 8 hours from 8am today a further 30 to 50mm possible in lower lying parts of the Wairarapa Plains, while 80mm is possible in the hills and ranges with intensities of 5 to 10mm per hour. From late afternoon further rain is still expected but of lower intensity, adding another 20mm about the hills.

A further release will be issued at 2.00pm.

ENDS

© Scoop Media