By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Ruapehu District Council this morning urged motorists to stay off flooded roads after people had to be rescued by jet boat when their car became trapped in floodwaters.
Council executive manager communications, Paul Wheatcroft, said it had received reports of people trying to drive through flooded areas despite repeated warnings.
“Some people needed to be rescued by jet boat from a car that got stuck early this morning.”
He warned people not to drive into flooded roads and said river levels, while receding, remained high.
“There is still a lot of water in the upper catchment and rivers will take some time to drop – but it has started to recede.
“Road crews are out in force clearing-up. Drive with care around the district.”
The council reminded anyone needing to travel to check the NZTA Journey Planner before leaving.
Aerial survey
The Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group, led by Horizons Regional Council, carried out a reconnaissance flight over the Ruapehu district this morning to assess flooding situation.
The flight left the Feilding aerodrome at Aorangi shortly after dawn and surveyed the affected areas across northern Ruapehu, where multiple roads remained blocked by slips and surface flooding following days of heavy rain.
The aerial survey would provide more detailed information on the most impacted areas and help responders to focus recovery efforts.
The council has reactivated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to Level 2 as it responds to the impacts from the heavy rain event over the past few days that has left flooding and multiple road outages.
Ruapehu civil defence controller Clive Manley said today’s fine weather was a welcome break, allowing response crews to start the clean-up process.
“Our key focus is on ensuring the small number of people and communities isolated by flooding are ok and reopening the road network.
“We are aware of a number of households who have self-evacuated overnight.”
Manley said Civil Defence Welfare was offering support to families known to responders.
“However, we ask that people please check on their neighbours or any elderly people who may be in need of assistance.
“We have also been in contact with local marae to check on their needs – no issues have been reported.
“If anyone has a critical or a life-threatening issue they should call 111.”
Manley said river levels were dropping slowly but there was still a lot of water in the upper catchment and it was expected to take a few days for these to drop.
“Everyone will need to be patient while river levels subside.”
Power and cell outages were affecting the district, with Taumarunui High School working off a generator and telling students they can stay home.
A number of other schools have closed for the day including Tarrangower Primary, Matiere and Ohura Schools.
The Lines Company reported that a tree fall caused power outages for some Taumarunui customers and was bringing in generators. However, the road issues had slowed their delivery. Power was expected to be returned this morning.
Due to high river turbidity, Taumarunui residents were being asked to conserve water.
State Highways closed
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said this morning that several state highways across northern Taranaki and Waikato would remain closed.
Although the rainfall had stopped, river levels were still rising and flooding, slips, debris and sodden ground continued to make conditions unsafe.
“Please adhere to traffic management in place and cordons in place – it’s really important people don’t try to drive through the cordons and through floodwaters,” said Liesl Dawson, NZTA System Manager for Taranaki and Manawatū-Whanganui.
“We know the closures are frustrating, but the safety of all road users and our crews is of paramount importance.”
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.
Local roads update
Ohura Road – road closed in usual places uses drop down signage. Will not open until flood water recedes. Mangapapa Road – road closed in usual places uses drop down signage. 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. Hohotaka Road (closed to Heavy Vehicles) – there are a few old sections of subsidence and slumping. A new section has occurred overnight which crosses the centre-line of the road. A small vehicle/ute can pass – not suitable for trucks. Waitaangas – this is a contingency plan for when Ohura/SH43 are closed. Ongarue Back Road from Taringamotu to Okahukura – flooding.
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