Farmers escape more floods

ROBERT KITCHIN/Manawatu Standard

SLIPPING AWAY: Manawatu Standard reporter Jessica Sutton surveys the damage on Tutaekara Rd, near Mangamaire, after flooding washed parts of the road away.

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Tararua farmers were left to wonder if last night's downfall was going to flood their paddocks again after 30 millimetres of rain fell in four hours.

They spent the night keeping an eye on river levels and stock after weather experts forecast that 60mm would fall overnight – enough to do significant damage to the already flood-ravaged region.

However, at 5pm yesterday the MetService downgraded its heavy rain warning to between 30mm and 40mm.

Pahiatua farmer Kerri Prince received two warnings overnight – at 11.30pm and 1.30am – that her creek was close to breaching its banks.

Mrs Prince told the Manawatu Standard this morning that she got up many times during the night to check on her farm.

"The water levels were as high as the banks and it was almost overflowing," she said. "If we had got any more water, it would've flooded for sure."

Monday's flooding had reduced her farm to mud and slush, and last night's extra dose of water had made it even worse, she said.

This had added to farmers' woes after this week's events, as paddocks had only just begun to drain.

"It's a mess the farmers didn't need. It's just a real hassle. Everywhere you stand on the paddock you start sinking, and the stock are doing the same," Mrs Prince said.

"Now we just have to start the cleanup. If the rain can keep away that is."

Access is also a problem for many rural families, with road closures still in place. In one instance, an entire section of Tutaekara Rd, near Mangamaire, fell into the Mangahao River, pulling down everything in its wake.

Last night's rain also caused minor slips in the Manawatu Gorge, although the road still remained open this morning.

MetService reports the region received about 30mm of rain between 8pm and midnight, with many areas escaping the possible deluge that was predicted – saving farmers from further washouts.

"The radar image shows that it cleared towards the top of the Tararua Ranges at about midnight, and at about 1am it cleared off the bottom," severe weather forcaster Erick Brenstrum said.

While the torrential downpour was significant, farmers would be relieved that it happened over a relatively short time frame, he said.

"It's still a bit heavy, but the numbers aren't scary."

Horizons Regional Council moni-tored river levels last night, with water spikes recorded in all rivers throughout the region.

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