An aerial photo provided by Ruapehu District Council on Monday shows flooding at Ohura-Matiere after storms last week. Photo: Ruapehu District Council
Access has been restored to all communities in Ruapehu District, after damage and flooding from one of the worst storms to hit the area in decades cut off many places.
The severe weather caused widespread damage and flooding in Ruapehu and Waitomo regions, with the clean-up likely to cost millions.
Ruapehu Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley said work by roading crews during the weekend had opened access to all isolated of the communities that had been isolated, but he warned that many of the area's roads remained fragile.
State Highways 3, 4, and 43 were reopened, but various sections were likely to remain under traffic control for the next two to three weeks - adding up to an hour's extra travel time in places.
Some local roads remained closed to all traffic, Ruapehu District Council said in an update on Monday afternoon, some were open to residents only, others were still being inspected, and some were listed as "condition unknown".
Manley, who is also the council's chief executive, said access was the top priority for rural residents, particularly farmers whose livelihoods rely on dependable transport links.
"Our crews have been working as quickly as possible to reconnect the network, and we're pleased to now have access restored to all townships that had been isolated," he said.
Floodwaters had caused about 80 percent of the damage to the roads, creating cracks, slumps, dumping slips, heavy silt deposits, logs and debris on the roads, as well as creating dropouts.
One property at Okahukura, next to the Ongarue River, had been white stickered, the council said - meaning there was no or minimal damage.
Repair bill comes atop of steep prices to repair damage from earlier storms
Council infrastructure manger Vini Dutra said the latest major storm was the third to pummel the area in five months.
"The first weather event in June caused $2.23 million in damages, with the second in July costed at $1.9 million.
"Damage and repair costs for this most recent event will also be in the millions of dollars."
Flooding at Okahukura, north of Taumarunui, on Wednesday. Photo: Supplied / Horizons Regional Council
Dutra said the Transport Agency (NZTA) and council were still working through funding for repairs from July and warned ratepayers would need to help foot the bill for the latest damage.
"Even with an increased Funding Assistance Rate from NZTA to support recovery works, Ruapehu ratepayers will still need to contribute a significant local share - potentially more than $1 million across the three storm events."
Ruapehu District Council updates, including local road conditions, can be found on their website, and highway updates are available on the Transport Agency Journey Planner.
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