No civil defence alert declared

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 605, 26 September 1995, Page 1

No civil defence alert declared

No civil defence emergency had been declared at the time of going to press last night as a result of the Ruapehu eruption. However as a precautionary measure the local civil defence headquarters has been activated as a precautionary measure. A meeting of emergency services and community organisations was held in Ohakune at midday yesterday to assess the potential dangers to the community arising from the eruptions. Due to the increased activity on Mt Ruapehu the alert level for Ruapehu was raised to Level 4 which means that there has been a significant change to ongoing activity with a hazardous local eruption in progress. It is stressed however, that this hazard is at this stage confined to the upper mountain area itself and there was at the time no danger from direct volcanic action on local communities. Possible risk to local communities could arise from the deposition of ash from the eruption, stated Civil Defence staff. The wind was taking the ash to the east into the Kaimanawa Ranges crossing the Desert Road on

its way. If the wind shifted then local communities could be put at risk, said CD. The ash was already causing problems with traffic on the Desert Road and could continue to cause problems by interrapting the national power supply as it settles on lines and insulators. A recommendation was made to Transit New Zealand to close the Desert Road (SH1) as a potential hazard from ash to motorists existed. Because of the risk of lahar it was recommended that State Highway 49 between .Waiouru and Ohakune be closed at night. A close watch was being maintained on community water supplies to ensure that they are not contaminated by ash. Residents of the areas surrounding the mountain are urged to keep a supply of bottled water for use in the event of water supplies becoming contaminated. Residents should also refresh their memories of civil defence procedures which are contained at the back of the phone book. Properties within a 30 km radius of the mountain with an independent water supply are advised to

disconnect their tanks to avoid pollution by ash. Precautions Members of the public are also urged to take all precautions to ensure their own safety in the vicinity of the mountain and not to put themselves or emergency services at risk. The public will be kept informed through the media on a regular basis on any further developments concerning this eruption, promised CD staff. The following areas of Mt Ruapehu have been evacuated: the Whakapapa skifield, all ski lodges on the Whakapapa side of the mountain, Turoa Ski field and Tukino Skifield. All people are advised to stay off the mountain. The road to the Top of the Bruce and Ohakune Mountain Road are closed.. A decision was to be made at 1600 hours last night as to whether to evacuate parts of Whakapapa Village adjacent to the river as a precautionary measure.