Ruapehu District Council has stepped down its emergency operations as the district moves from storm response to recovery.
Widespread road closures and slips will take days to clear.
The council’s Emergency Operations Centre was now in a monitoring phase as the district moved into recovery following two days of heavy rain that cut roads and isolated northern communities.
After a regional Civil Defence round-up with headquarters in Palmerston North at 4pm, Ruapehu civil defence controller Clive Manley said the worst of the weather looked to have passed over the northern Ruapehu area.
Communities evacuated, cut off after month's worth of rain in single day, watch on TVNZ+
But he said the weather event had left behind a big clean-up on local roads and state highways with multiple slips and blocked routes.
A narrow southerly band of rain was expected to bring 15-20 millimetres of rain to the Taumarunui area over the next few hours, but river levels were expected to continue to rise only slightly before beginning to drop. No additional issues were anticipated.
High river levels were flooding across a number of roads, including Ōhura Rd and State Highway 4, which were likely to remain cut off for a few days.
People wee asked not to risk driving through flooding.
Council road contractors were busy responding to multiple local slip outages around the district, which would take some time to clear.
NZTA advised that the major road outage on SH4 between Taumarunui and Te Kuiti would not be cleared for a couple of days.
SH43 (The Forgotten World Highway) between Taumarunui and Whangamomona was also blocked with multiple slips.
People were asked to avoid these areas or delay their trip if possible. Anyone travelling should check the NZTA Journey Planner before leaving.
Communities cut off earlier in the day
The gorge more resembles a giant muddy lake after massive rainfall hit the area. (Source: Other)
Earlier, the heavy rainfall that was forecast to ease last night continued at a higher intensity than anticipated, notably around the northern Ruapehu area.
Ōhura, Matiere and Tokorima townships were isolated from slips and flooding across local access roads.
The Mangaroa Stream near Ohura continued to rise, with reports that some houses in Ōhura were under threat. Civil Defence said the situation was under control.
A family in Matiere evacuated from their home due to the rising Ōhura Stream and were being cared for by the local community at the local Cosmopolitan Club.
It was a busy morning for farmers in Ōhura as heavy rain caused surface flooding. (Source: Michelle Potts) (Source: Supplied)
Manley said some Ruapehu Water Treatment Plants stopped operating due to high river turbidity, there was no issue with supply as reservoirs were able to meet demand.
The recovery focus over the coming days would be on the roading network, Manley said.
"With the number of slips, people are asked to be patient as road contractors move around the district.
"People driving around the district are asked to take additional care, drive to the conditions, and watch out for work crews."
Any local road outage issues should be reported to the council on 07 895 8188.
Road network update
Several state highways closed by floodwaters and slips after downpours hit harder than anticipated. (Source: 1News)
Local roads
Ōhura Rd – road closed in usual places. Will not open until flood water recedes.
Mangapapa Rd – road closed in usual places. Will not open until flood water recedes.
Ongarue Waimiha – road closed from Waimiha School to Poro-o-Tarao due to flooding. Currently deeper than a vehicle. No access to Ongarue Stream road where there are currently trees down and power outages.
Kawautahi Rd – large slip, road now open.
Hohotaka Rd (closed to heavy vehicles) – there are a few old sections of subsidence and slumping. A new section has occurred overnight which crosses the centreline of the road. A small vehicle/ute can pass – not suitable for trucks.
Liasing with New Plymouth District Council to close Waitaangas – this is a contingency plan for when Ōhura/SH43 are closed.
Ongarue Back Rd from Taringamotu to Okahukura – flooding.
State highways
SH30 Kopaki to Bennydale – direct link to Poro-o-Tarao/Ongarue Waimiha Road. 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 Thursday.
SH43 between Taumarunui and Whangamomona – many small slips. Unable to clear due to response at SH4.
SH4 at Piriaka – open to one lane.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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