Power and water cut to Ruapehu towns

Thursday, 13 July 2017

50 people trapped in Waiouru get evacuated to Waiouru military Camp.

Residents of many Ruapehu towns are being told to conserve water and there are fears wastewater could spill into waterways in Raetihi.

Heavy snow has caused power outages in the area which has caused wastewater and water pumps to fail. Power has been cut to the townships of Ohakune and Raetihi.

Water supplies have been affected at Owhango, National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi and Whakapapa.

The NZ Army, based in Waiouru, has offered the use of its unimogs to help carry emergency generators to the towns, if power cannot be restored quickly.

It has also shifted about 50 motorists stranded at Waiouru, to the Waiouru Military Base.

Ruapehu District Council chief executive Clive Manley said people need to conserve water.

'Due to the power outage the Raetihi wastewater pumping stations is filling up which may result in an overflow to local waterways. Please stay clear of these,' Manley said.

Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron is himself trapped at home by snow as treacherous road conditions keep all the main highways in the area closed.

Turoa staff riding snowmobiles on the Ohakune access road on the afternoon of July 12.

Cameron woke this morning to find he couldn't get out of his Horopito home. He said it was the heaviest storm he had seen for more than 20 years.

'It's really unusual we've got the snow so high up on the railings and the roof is taking a huge amount of snow.'

The weather is starting to clear and the Metservice is advising that the worst weather could be over. It is expected to be fine on Saturday and Sunday, which would mean very icy roads, Manley said.

Cameron said he would have to dig away snow from the front of the house and use a four wheel drive to get out but not being able to see the road would make it hazardous.

'We have friends staying in our cottage at Ohakune - no power, but a nice warm fire,' says Jenny Jackson.

'My only concern is to keep an eye out for neighbours particularly elderly people who might struggle to get fire wood.'

State Highways 1, 46, 47, 49 and 4 are all closed in the Ruapehu district due to heavy snow.

Snow outside the Mt Ruapehu Office in Ohakune on the morning of Thursday, July 13.

The Emergency Operations Centre has been activated in Taumarunui in response to the snow event currently impacting on the Central Plateau and Waimarino area.

Staff at the Ruapehu District Council Ohakune office were unable to get to work but the office remains open with a skeleton crew to assist.

Snow arrives at Mt Ruapehu in perfect timing for school holidays. July 13. FFX-travel

The office will stay open until 6pm to assist with information enquiries and as a Welfare Centre.

Raetihi resident John Chapman said the wind was picking up and conditions are becoming treacherous as his family hunker down in front of the fire.

Communications manager, Paul Wheatcroft said snow continues to fall at about 2-3 cm per hour accumulation and a steady southerly wind about 25-30 knots.

Raetihi residents are still without power as the snow storm continues to hamper the Ruapehu District.

Treacherous conditions close main highways in the Ruapehu district.

Council contractors Downer are busy laying grit around the network.

Engineering consultants GHD in Taumarunui reported several trees down on the rural network but minor damage so far.

Power supply remains unstable with many short outages followed by successful recloses of switching gear.

Residents in Owhango, National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi and Whakapapa are being asked to conserve water until further notice.