Warning systems for campers

NEW flood warning systems at popular public camping grounds, Totara Reserve Regional Park and Vinegar Hill, are being welcomed by Manawatu District Council Community Services Group Manager, Brent Limmer.

The automatic warning systems, involving flashing lights and blaring sirens, will activate at the sites when there is a risk of flooding.

The security systems have been installed by Horizons Regional Council to warn the public of any potential trouble and to help keep them safe.

Mr Limmer said it was an excellent initiative by Horizons, particularly at Vinegar Hill where there was no permanent caretaker on or near the site.

Horizons Emergency Manager, Shane Bayley, said both areas provided ample space to camp near the river banks, which meant campers needed to be conscious of any changes to their surroundings, as rivers could rise quickly.

“In the past year we’ve had over 700 campers out at these hot spots,” said Mr Bayley, “so letting the public know that the flood siren system now exists and how it works is equipping them with important knowledge to ensure their personal safety and the safety of others.”

The Vinegar Hill flood siren will activate when river levels reach 6.5m at the Mangaweka gauging site on the Rangitikei River, while Totara Reserve sirens will activate when the river reaches 2.3m at Piripiri.

Mr Bayley said if the flood warning system activated, alarm sirens would sound for about 12 minutes, with lights flashing for the following hour.

Campers spotting the flashing lights or hearing the sirens should ensure others in the reserve were aware of the potential danger, before calmly evacuating the area and notifying Horizons on 0508 800-800.

The flood warning systems were funded by the Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management’s Resilience Fund, which aims to help communities respond better to hazards.