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Today marks one year since the second worst flood in the country's history struck Whanganui.

One month's worth of rainfall fell on the Whanganui river catchment within 24 hours.

The rainfall left riverside properties flooded and numerous landslides blocked roads cutting off farmers, preventing them from leaving their homes, affecting Whanganui, neighbouring Waitotara and the surrounding area.

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Mayor Annette Main said everything happened at once - the city's main hill began to erode, surface water flooded houses and the river went over the stop bank all within in matter of hours.

"It was a real mix of events that we wouldn't have expected, and never would have predicted."

Some people took weeks and even month before they get back into their homes.

Main said at least ten people are still living in alternative accommodation.

"Those are the people who were on the hills, where the hills actually slipped down through their houses or so close to their houses they were uninhabitable - that's really really sad."

However she said the community support for each other following the event demonstrated why the city is such a special one.

"People who didn't know anyone who was affected were offering their services, volunteering, bringing food in."

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REPEAT EVENT

The Horizons Regional Council has begun to investigate how best counter another flood, and the most cost effective way of doing so.

Waitotara residents are hoping to meet with their councillors to discuss how to react if the village was to flood again.

Resident Sylvia Forester said they believe a lot of the damage could have been prevented if the villages drainage system was made to be more efficient.

She also said community residents were upset they had to ask for help following the event.

"Because we've been through it before, it should have been automatic, rather than going to ask for it."

She added that there were a "whole lot of issues" the townsfolk would like to discuss."

However in Whanganui, Annette Main said they are realistic in knowing they probably can't stop a really big flood.

She said if a large deluge of rain collided with a high tide, it would almost be impossible to stop the water from flooding areas of the city.