Ash settles Waiouru's eruption novelty

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 608, 17 October 1995, Page 3

Ash settles Waiouru's eruption novelty

Saturday's ash eruptions of Mount Ruapehu left most of the W aimarino unscathed with the exception of Waiouru and Tangiwai. Shell Waiouru service station o wner Ah Montgomery said the ash blew straight into the shop leaving it a mess. "It went through the chippies, through the drinks, through everything.

It was horrible. We had to sweep and mop the floor a couple of times. It took hours to clean up," Mrs Montgomery said, adding that once wet the ash sets like concrete High winds made being outside on Saturday a very uncomfortable experience with ash being rammed up noses and slammed into faces, mouths and eyes.

"It was really bad for the forecourt staff because of the ash going in their eyes. Doug considered closing, but they said it was okay. andjust used 'Cleareyes'," said Mrs Montgomery . Army rugby continued despite the ash and high winds limiting visibility and making breathing difficult. "It was like eating ash," one player said.

Monday was clean-up day when soldiers and civilians returned to the military camp to find the full effects of Waiouru's first real dump of ash all over their desks. On the home front ash found its way into everything. It covered gardens, crept through skylights, slid under doors and wedged through closed windows.

The strong winds blew waves of ash down the streets making driving difficult and forcing the closure once again of the Desert Road at around 5.30pm. On Saturday night loud booms were heard around

midnight accompanied by a short shudder lasting a second or so. Waiouru's water supply is being tested regularly by Serco and is fine according to land management officer John Mangos. A Massey University

team has advised Mr Mangos that most of the ash will be absorbed into the ground and will not get into the water supply. People are being advised to take drinking water into the training area said Mr Mangos.