Wanganui residents are waking up to the city's biggest flood in recorded history.
About 200 people have been evacuated form 100 properties while a large number of residents have also self evacuated.
A state of emergency was declared in Wanganui late yesterday afternoon with Taranaki and Rangitikei following.
The Whanganui River spilled over into the city overnight and breached stop banks along Anzac Parade.
Horizons Regional Council recorded the Whanganui River reaching a peak of 9.1 metres at Town Bridge at 3am, with a flow rate of 4,690 cubic metres per second.
This morning water covered Taupo Quay and up to the lower part of Victoria Ave and parallel streets. CBD streets were blocked at Ridgeway St from Market Pl.
Members of the public have been coming in town to observe the damage but have been turned away from the water's edge and extra cordon tape has been put up.
Horizons incident controller Michael McCartney says it has been a challenging night in Wanganui as flood levels exceeded the flood protection standards for parts of Wanganui.
"Surface flooding is expected to recede as river levels drop. Thankfully the weather forecast is looking up but we're aware as people return to their properties there is going to be a big clean-up to face," Mr McCartney said.
Many properties will not be able to be accessed until Monday at the earliest and it is more likely to be Tuesday before people can return to their properties as they will need to be cleaned and limed due to sewage contamination.
Evacuated areas will continue to be cordoned off and the cordons will be manned.
In addition, Police mobile patrols are on duty throughout the community.
The Whanganui River level seems to have stabilised and no significant increase in flooding is expected. However, it is likely to take all day Sunday for the roads to clear of floodwater.
This morning Merservice lifted the heavy rain warnings for the central and lower North Island.
Social media pages have been set up coordinate clean up and volunteering efforts.
The Dublin Street Bridge is open to emergency services only.
The City Bridge is closed until a structural assessment can be done.
Whanganui Police are asking people not to try to travel south on State Highway 3. They will not be allowed through the cordons except in a real emergency.
Residents are asked to conserve water and to treat all flood waters as contaminated.
- by Zaryd Wilson, Wanganui Chronicle
