Media Release
7 April 2017
UPDATE 4.25PM

Many roads will remain closed over weekend until water recedes

Many roads in the Waikato district will remain closed over the weekend. We will be assessing the situation on Monday when water levels have receded. Our after-hours team will be on call over the weekend to monitor any urgent issues.

People are reminded to take care. For safety reasons, if a road is closed do not attempt to go through it. We have had instances of people ignoring the signs and putting themselves and others at risk, including one person whose vehicle became stuck.
Teams are dealing with a number of slips across the district and have been working hard to clear and re-open roads.

By 6pm tonight, we hope to have River Road, Tuakau and Richardson Road, near Waikaretu open.

Several roads have been re-opened or partially opened. They are:
• Highway 22 north of Glen Murray: one lane
• Ponganui Road, Onewhero: one lane
• Allen and Eyre Road, Onewhero: one lane
• Rotowaro Road and Hangapipi Road, Huntly
• Waingaro Road, Ngaruawahia
• Tuakau Bridge-Port Waikato Road
(Note: Driver caution is advised as there is still debris and slippery surfaces along this route. Traffic management is in place in and around the slip area.)
• Waitetuna Valley Road, Te Uku
• Old Mountain Road, Raglan
• Te Hoe, Orini Road and Tenfoot Road, Orini/Taupiri
• Te Puroa, Ngaruawahia: one lane
• Brien Road, Onewhero
• River Road, Tuakau: We will have one lane open by approximately 6pm. Traffic lights and a speed restriction will be in place over the weekend
• Richardson Road, near Waikaretu, will be open by approximately 6pm

The following roads are closed due to flooding and/or slips:
• Riverview Road, Huntly: closed from 4.30pm today. Detour via Porritt.
• Klondyke Road, Onewhero
• Pioneer Road, Pokeno
• Venna Fry Lane, Huntly: top end
• Blackett Road, Te Kowhai
• Koheroa Road, Mercer
• Churchill Road, Pukekawa
• Clark and Denize Road, Pukekawa

People are advised to take care. There is still significant debris and roads are slippery. When driving on the roads please exercise extreme caution.

Boaties are asked to stay clear of power lines crossing local rivers. Particular care is required on the Waipa River approximately 150 metres south of Maori Point Road (Whatawhata) where, due to flooding and high river level the clearance conditions have been compromised. Any concerns or questions please contact WEL Networks on 0800 800 935.

For safety reasons, people are advised that all walking tracks in our district, including the Hakarimata track, should be avoided until further notice.

If you are concerned about flooding or your welfare or the welfare of others, please phone 0800 492 452 or if in you are in immediate danger call 111.

Should water levels rise and threaten homes residents are urged to evacuate to higher ground and to notify us as soon as possible. People are reminded to drive safely through flood waters and to avoid affected areas if possible.

Stay informed
• www.metservice.co.nz
• www.civildefence.govt.nz
• www.facebook.com/waikatodistrictcouncil
• www.twitter.com/waikatodistrict
• www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz

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