4:02 PM

Pipriki Residents Planning to Be Isolated for at Least a Week

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is aiming to supply Pipiriki residents isolated due to two major slips on the Pipiriki-Raetihi Rd with at least a week’s worth of food supplies.

RDC civil defence controller Margaret Hawthorne said that all non-residents will be evacuated by helicopter before nightfall today.

“Helicopters evacuating non-residents and anyone else needing to get out are taking in food and any required emergency medical supplies,” she said.

“Road engineers will be out on both slip sites tomorrow and will report back with a work programme based on their findings.”

“This will allow council to start developing an understanding of what resources are required to repair the road along with associated costs.”

Mrs Hawthorne said that the EOC will be shut down for the night at 5.00pm although civil defence staff will be on stand-by if needed.

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