Ruapehu weather event update – Friday 4.30pm
Ruapehu District Council Emergency Management Centre (EOC) Controller Clive Manley said that this afternoon has seen
great progress with roads opening and getting the power back on.
“We are getting back to business as usual allowing us to move the EOC into recovery mode,” he said.
“Council would like to thank all our agency partners, our contractors and supporting businesses such as Ruapehu Alpine
Lifts (RAL) who did an absolutely amazing job and contributed to the successful response.”
“Taumarunui to Waiouru (SH4 and SH49) and Waiouru south (SH1) as well as Raetihi to Whanganui (SH4) over the Parapara’s
are now all open.”
“The Desert Rd from Waiouru to Taihape (SH1) could still be closed for a day or so.”
“With work on clearing local roads is proceeding well and the Police have report no vehicle related issues this
afternoon.”
“Downers have extra crew on stand-by over the weekend and will be monitoring roads for ice and have grit trucks ready if
needed.”
Mr. Manley said that power supplies were also returning to normal with Transpower advising that it has re-established
its feeder station to Waiouru that will allow Powerco to make steady progress on returning power to businesses and
households.
“The Army convoy has arrived in Ohakune with the three generators which have been unloaded.”
“The level of water use is still in a concern in Whakapapa Village and Ohakune and people are urged to continue to
conserve water to allow the reservoirs to re-fill overnight.”
“Waiouru and Pipiriki Wastewater Treatment Plants still have overflow issues due to power issues.”
“Ultimately we had around 22 welfare requests from close to 80 people including small families and two large groups of
20 and 30.”
“The welfare requests were mostly for food parcels, accommodation and information along with one request from someone
short on their medication.”
“This weekend we are expecting an influx of people coming to enjoy the forecast fine weather and new snow.”
“Driving will still be challenging and so we would like to ask that everybody takes extra care on Ruapehu roads and
looks out for each other.”
*End*