Horizons EOC Sit Report 0900hrs

Posted by on 18 October 2004 | 0 Comments

Background - Previous 24 hr

At about 5.20pm last night (17th October) Horizons was advised by Foxton Beach residents that a stop bank on the lower reaches of the Manawatu River near the Foxton Beach Township was eroding.

Horizons engineering staff were deployed to investigate the reports and subsequently confirmed at 7pm that major scouring had occurred and a breach was possible.

Horizons Group EOC was established to support Horizons staff on site and Horowhenua District Council's EOC at 1930 Hours on Sunday and continues to operate.

Earthmoving machinery was deployed to Foxton throughout the night to construct a backup protection stopbank approx. 80m long. This construction work is being monitored closely by Horizons and Horowhenua District Council.

Horowhenua District Council's EOC have undertaken the necessary planning and put proceedures in place should evacuations be required. Potentially affected residents were notified and radio station 95FM are broadcasting regular situation reports.

High tide passed at 12.30am Sunday without incident.

Horizons staff will today survey the area to try and predict the likely direction the water will take and the level it will reach if the stop bank does fail.

High tide is expected today at 1pm.

The Army are on 2 hr standby to be deployed should evacuations or sandbagging be required.

 Next 24 hours

Weather:

Met Service have issued a heavy rain warning (in place until 9pm tonight) for the Upper Manawatu River area and the Eastern Ruahine Ranges (40 - 60mm) - also 30 - 50mm is expected for Eastern Tararua's.

Weather patterns and likely rainfall is cause for concern - and is being monitored closely.

River State:

While there is no cause for alarm at present - monitoring sites indicate steady rises in most catchments. More info provided in next update.

EOC Operations:

EOC will remain activated for as long as necessary. Replacement staff rosters are being prepared to cater for prolonged operation should this be required.

Next briefing: 1100hrs.

Source: Horizons Regional Council.

Related Pages
blog comments powered by Disqus