Cyclone Gabrielle: What you need to know

Collections are continuing as per usual.

If there are any changes to rubbish and recycling we will provide an update here and on our Facebook page.  

Our recycling centres at Ferguson Street, Awapuni and Ashhurst are operating as usual. We’ll keep you updated if they need to close due to weather conditions. 

Powerlines in Palmerston North are taken care of by Powerco.  

If there’s imminent danger, such as fallen lines or a gas leak, call Powerco immediately.  

For electricity network emergencies, phone: 0800 27 27 27 

For gas network emergencies, phone: 0800 11 848 

All other emergency enquiries, phone: 0800 769 372 

For further updates and advice on what to do if you experience an outage and need to get reconnected visit the Powerco website  or Facebook page 

Drinking water

Tap water remains safe to drink.   

Any updates will be provided here.  

Wastewater

Our wastewater treatment plant is operating as normal. 

We have checked outlets and spillways and are monitoring incoming flows, river level and plant operation closely until the forecasted weather passes. 

Please remember if there is any flooding to please treat all floodwater as contaminated, wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after clean-up and before handling food. 

Stormwater

You can prepare for heavy rain by clearing stormwater drains around your home – if it’s safe to do so.  

Don’t be alarmed if you see some water backing up on our roads in heavy rain. People think that means our stormwater system isn’t working, but it is. In heavy rain, roads may struggle to cope with large amounts of water and this is where it can flow onto berms and on properties. 

When this occurs, we activate pump stations across the city to help push water through the network. 

Our road maintenance contractor will be on call. We will be prioritising jobs that affect major roads that emergency services need for access. This means our contractors may not be able to get to everyone tonight.  

If roads are flooding, the first measure will be putting up road closed signs. This is to allow the water to enter the drains and our underground pipe network. Closing the road means that vehicles will not create waves from vehicles.  

If a road looks flooded, do not walk through the water or drive through it. The water could be deeper than it looks and have sharp objects or debris in it. 

Our river pathway remained closed over the weekend. That’s all the way from Maxwells Line (Ahimate Reserve) all the way to Riverside Drive.

He Ara Kotahi and the Linton side of the pathway were closed also.

We hope to have these open again soon, but our teams still need to assess the areas and clear the silt and debris.

All sportsgrounds have been reopened. 

In a medical emergency call 111. If it’s not a medical emergency and you need advice on your symptoms or general health, call your doctor during their operating hours or Healthline on its 24/7 service: 0800 611 116 

For Covid-19 health advice, call 0800 358 5453 anytime. 

For general Palmerston North Hospital enquiries, appointments, clinics, or referrals, phone: 06 356 9169. For patient enquiries, phone: 06 350 8770

Its Facebook page is: Te Whatu Ora - Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral 

Please contact your local school or check their website for updates.  

You can also stay up to date with announcements via the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page. 

All flight information is available on the airport website.

The airport's Facebook page is facebook.com/flypalmy