EOC Closing This Morning – Now in Recovery Phase

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) opened in response to two major slips on the Pipiriki-Raetihi Rd that isolated the Pipiriki community has been stood down this morning Wednesday 24 June 2015.

RDC civil defence staff have now moved into the recovery phase of the operation and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

The Pipiriki community is meeting daily to discuss welfare and other needs and is then advising RDC’s civil defence and emergency management officer of any requirements.

Yesterday council road contractors GHD undertook a full assessment via helicopter of the affected area.

The aerial and ground assessment of the Pipiriki-Raetihi Rd has allowed council and its contractors to develop a programme of work.

The first slip closest to Raetihi will be addressed by cutting into the hill and going around behind it.

On the second slip closest to Pipiriki contractors will go underneath it.

This work is estimated to take between four and seven days and will allow limited four wheel drive access.

River access between Pipiriki and Whanganui has now been established and will be used for supplying the settlement and for the transport of people.

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