Blue Duck Lodge guests to be evacuated by helicopter

Efforts to clear the roads of slips into the Blue Duck Lodge, Whakahoro, on the Retaruke River have run into difficulty with new slips coming down trapping machinery.

Ruapehu Emergency Management Officer Nick Watson said the decision has been made to try and fly the stranded guests out by helicopter this afternoon.

“There are around 100 guests currently at the Lodge.

We will also be flying in fresh supplies of food and water for around 20 people including the owners and staff who will be remaining behind,” he said.

Ruapehu Council is asking people to take extra care and rive to the conditions on rural roads around the district.

State Highway road condition information is available from the AA website, http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch

Up-to-date information on river heights and rainfall is available via Horizons 24 hour toll-free Waterline 0508 4 FLOOD or via our website www.horizons.govt.nz

Updates will also be posted to the Manawatu-Wanganui Civil Defence page: https://www.facebook.com/civildefencemanawatuwanganui/

For weather forecasting information please see www.metservice.co.nz

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