Ruapehu District Council Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is stepping down to Level 1 as it transitions into recovery mode.
The fine weather is allowing flooded river systems to start to recede with the Ohura and Ongarue Rivers and Mangaroa Stream having all peaked although it will take a few days for water to drop to normal levels.
People are also asked to treat all flood waters as contaminated.
Civil Defence is keeping a close watch on the possibility of more bad weather later in the weekend.
Although water is dropping it is still at a level that is hampering roading repair crews and some welfare delivery with five households in Maitere, Ohura, Waimiha in need of supplies.
KiwiRail have been able to successfully deliver supplies to two families on the Ongarue Back Road including Mana Ariki Marae.
A flyover of the district organised by Regional Civil Defence headquarters in Palmerston North looked for any isolated communities, infrastructure damage, stranded cars or other issues.
No major slips were identified on the local road network with flooding across roads adjacent to river systems being the major impact from the weather event.
The flight took high-resolution pictures which are being reviewed in detail to identify any issues or priority response needs.
Flooding has prevented road engineers from assessing the safety of some roads and bridges.
If driving around the district people are asked to continue to take extra care and not take any risks as the road network is in a fragile state with water still covering roads in some places, cracked roads, multiple slips, and other issues.
Road crews are focusing their efforts on roads that are fully blocked ensuring at least one-lane access around the network.
People are asked to continue to call Council on 07 895 8188 with any road outage information or if they have any welfare needs.
Local Road information
- Ohura Road – road closed in usual places uses drop down signage. Will not open until flood water recedes.
- SH 4 from Okau Saddle north to 8 mile
- Ongarue Waimiha/Poro o Tarao road – Impassable from Waimiha school to Ongarue Stream Road - No access to Ongarue Stream Road from either side
- Hohotaka Road (closed to Heavy Vehicles) – there are a few old sections of subsidence and slumping.
- Ongarue Back Road from Taringamotu to Okahukura – flooding
- Taringamotu Road from Ngakonui school - dropout Waitonga's Ongarue Back Road
State Highways
- SH30 Kopaki to Bennydale – Cannot be used as detour route to Te Kuiti
- SH3 Awakino between Mokau and Piopio
- SH4 between Te Mapara to Taumaranui – will not be open before Friday
- SH43 between Taumarunui and Whangamomona – many small slips. Unable to clear due to response at SH4
