Horowhenua District Council worked with Horizons Regional Council, Palmerston North City Council's Rescue and Emergency Response Team (REST) and the Foxton Beach Fire Brigade on Sunday to inflate a large barrier across Hartley Street in Foxton Beach.

The barrier was inflated as a training exercise to test storm surge defences. In the exercise, the teams deployed the Foxton Beach WIPP (Water Inflated Property Protector), which is designed to protect low-lying properties in Hartley Street and Short Street from flooding during a storm surge.

Horowhenua District Council’s Emergency Management Officer, Andrew Howard, said the WIPP works by preventing floodwaters pushed up the river by a storm surge from entering low-lying areas that border the river environment.

Mr Howard said the exercise went well, with excellent cooperation between agencies.

He encouraged residents to help protect their properties against flooding by keeping gutters clear, checking for blocked drains, and staying aware of local conditions.

“If you live near the coast, be aware of weather reports for storms and of tide information. Storms that coincide with high tides pose a higher risk of storm surges and flooding,” he said.

Council shares MetService warnings about severe weather through its Facebook page. If you’re not on Facebook, check the MetService website, www.metservice.com, for weather and tide information.

If your property is in imminent danger of flooding, contact 111.

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