In December 2019 the river’s banks broke flooding properties, cutting access across the river at SH1 and SH79. Heavy flows were recorded again in late May. “An initial text alert was sent this morning to local farmers and landowners advising that the river is likely to rise during the day,” Hawker said. “We will provide further alerts if the situation changes. It is not anticipated there will be any out of river breakouts, but we will be monitoring the situation throughout the rest of the day and overnight.” Hawker said an excavator was used to open the river mouth straight into the sea from the main channel preventing the river flow backing up against the coast, reducing the risk of flooding to the South Rangitata Huts.