NPDC crews assessing damage and keeping watch

UPDATE: 3pm - Friday 4 July


There are still a number of roads with slips or service flooding across the district and with the rain easing for now, NPDC crews are continuing monitor the situation.  We also have had several sewer overflows. 

General

•    Rain is still forecast in the coming 24-hours but things can change at any time. 
•    There have been several sewer overflows – please keep out of floodwaters and we recommend avoiding swimming in the sea up to three days after heavy rainfall due to risk of contamination.

You can find the latest weather forecast from MetService, state highway updates from NZTA for regional updates 

2.30PM UPDATE

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is continuing to remind road users throughout Taranaki to drive with caution and be careful and alert to flooding and debris on roads.

• SH3 at Mt Messenger – southbound lane CLOSED. Traffic management is in place
• SH3 Awakino Gorge CLOSED between Oha Street and Papakauri Road but expected to be OPEN later this evening
• SH43 Forgotten World Highway CLOSED (between Whangamomona and Taumaranui – although non-essential travel along the entire route is not advised).

Crews working at Awakino Gorge are currently clearing the last of the debris from the road and expect to be able to open it later this evening. We will send a further update when the time is confirmed.

The southbound lane of State Highway 3 at Mt Messenger will remain closed over the weekend, with geotechnical experts examining the slip below the road. Please avoid unnecessary travel if possible, around Mt Messenger and expect delays of at least 25 minutes.

SH43 Forgotten World Highway will remain closed overnight and will be reassessed tomorrow.

LOCAL ROADS

Surface Flooding – open unless stated otherwise.  
•    Stockman/Tikorangi Rd east 
•    Albert Rd -   
•    Lower Durham Rd 
•    Otaraoa Rd
•    Hurdford Rd.
•    Lower Greenwood Rd 
•    Lower Kaihihi Rd.

Slips Reported
•    415 Barrett Road – Slip reportedly covering the entire road. 
•    Mill Road.
•    42 Govett Ave.
•    22 Frankley Rd.
•    Okoki Rd. CLOSED
•    St Aubyn St – Small slip on footpath.
•    Mohakatino Rd. Closed.
•    Uruit Rd.
•    Carrington Rd. Partially blocking at 12 km mark.
•    Waitaanga Rd. CLOSED
•    Okau Rd, Closed.
•    Matapo Rd.
•    Waikaramama Rd.
•    Kirihau Rd.
•    Piko Rd. CLOSED
•    Mangatoro Rd, 4km in, barley passable.
•    Puke Rd, 3km in, Closed.
•    Ngatoto Rd North, 1km in. CLOSED
•    Onaero River Rd.
•    Mangamio Rd.
•    Kiwi Rd.
•    Autawa Rd – 6.2km Slip blocking majority of the road. 
•    Mataro Rd and Waimea Street.

UPDATE: 12.30pm - Friday 4 July

NPDC crews will be out and about assessing and cleaning up damage following yesterday’s deluge which has caused widespread flooding across the district, impacting roads, parks and wastewater networks.

We continue to monitor the situation with more rain forecasted today and overnight and we advise people to keep up to date with the latest weather conditions on through  MetService and NZTA Journey Planner for state highways .

We will update our website and Facebook page as more information comes to hand. 

GENERAL

• Take care if you’re out and about on the roads.
• There have been several sewer overflows – please keep of floodwaters due to risk of contamination.
• Take care if on the road and drive to the conditions or avoid unnecessary travel.
• Our team are on the ground assessing and cleaning up
• We will continue monitor the situation throughout the day.
• You can find the latest weather forecast from MetService, state highway updates from NZTA or check out Taranaki Emergency Civil Defence for regional updates 

All our facilities are open as per usual. We are still assessing and will update on these as more information comes to hand.

• Huatoki Plaza - still closed.

ROADS

SURFACE FLOODING -  OPEN UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 

• Stockman/Tikorangi Rd east
• Albert Rd
• Bristol Rd
• Lower Durham Rd
• Otaraoa Rd
• Hurdford Rd
• Lower Greenwood Rd

SLIPS REPORTED - OPEN UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 

• 415 Barrett Road
• Mill Road 
• 42 Govett Ave 
• 22 Frankley Rd - Slip 
• Okoki Rd - Two slips blocking the road just past Kaka and Okoki Rd intersection - road closed.
• St Aubyn St
• Mohakatino Rd - Closed
• Uruti Rd - Small slip at tunnel.
• Carrington Rd - Partially blocking one lane around 12km mark.
• Tupoki Rd - Underslip/tommo being assessed
• Waitaanga Rd - Closed
• Okau Rd
• Okau Rd - Closed
• Matapo Rd - Slip partially blocking.
• Waikaramama Rd
• Kirihau Rd - Slip partially blocking lane.
• Piko Rd- Closed
• Mangatoro Rd - Slip blocking road 4km in.
• Puke Road - Closed
• Ngatoto Rd North - Closed
• Onaero River Rd
• Mangamio Rd
• Kiwi Rd
• Autawa Rd

SEWER OVERFLOWS

• Waitara: Wastewater will be pumped through the marine outfall from about 8:30am on Friday to ease the pressure on the Waitara pump station.
• Waitara: An overflow was reported in Jackson Street early Friday.
• Inglewood: the oxidation ponds, which started overflowing on Thursday, are still overflowing.
• New Plymouth: an overflow was reported near the Boat Shed in Pukekura Park early on Friday.
  

Please stay out of floodwaters because of the risk of sewage contamination.

STATE HIGHWAYS

• SH43 CLOSED (between Whangamona and Taumaranui – although non-essential travel along the entire route is not advised)
• SH45 CLOSED at Manaia at the intersection with Inaha Road
• SH3 Awakino Gorge CLOSED between Oha Street and Papakauri Road
• SH4 Whanganui to Raetihi CLOSED

Crews are monitoring all sites for further damage.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is aware of potholes forming on the state highway network around Taranaki, as a result of the heavy rainfall. Crews are continuing to assess damage.