Monday, June 22, 2015

Focus remains on welfare

With river levels continuing to recede, priority remains on community welfare and damage assessment.

Horizons regional group controller Craig Grant says action today will include providing support to city and district councils to re-establish key resources.

“This includes power, communications, access to a safe and reliable water source and ensuring all relevant government support agencies are established to deal with welfare issues. Flood affected properties will need to be assessed before people can return home with approximately 75 per cent of these being in urban Wanganui.”

Mr Grant says there are also a number of environmental issues to deal with including the removal of dead stock and pumps to assist with stagnant flood waters.

“Plans have been put in place to assist district councils with stock removal and we will be sending a number of pumps to Wanganui to help mobilise flood waters. We are also aware of significant flooding in the lower Oroua/Rangiotu area so will be keeping a close eye on this area.

“From a Horizons day-to-day business point of view we will be undertaking a general assessment of damage to infrastructure. River levels throughout the Region are continuing to drop and the Moutoa floodgates are expected to remain open until late today.”

Horizons’ emergency management team are continuing to monitor the oil spill situation at Foxton and Himatangi Beaches.

“The beach between Foxton and Himatangi is completely covered in debris. A detailed reconnaissance to check for oil will be carried out later in the week,” says Mr Grant.

A state of local emergency remains in place for the Wanganui District.

A number of road closures also remain in place. People are advised to visit the NZTA website www.nzta.govt.nz for information on the State Highway network. City and district council websites will report closures on local roads.

Facebook page www.facebook.com/civildefencemanawatuwanganui is also acting as a hub for emergency information and people are encouraged to keep an eye on this page for any updates.

ENDS

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