Three-and-a-half months on from June's flood the recovery in Whangaehu still has a long way to go.
The silt the river spewed out still covers much of the village. Fences remain flattened by the force of the water and tangled in grass and shrubs.
"No site entry" signs are stuck on homes while ruined appliances and possessions sit outside, waiting to be collected.
"Some people had decided to repair their homes and return to the village while others may not come back. There have been four floods here in 11 years," Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson said.
"There are some people in Whangaehu who have elected to say 'no we will not go back into the property'.
"Some of those people may be approaching us and saying 'will you consider taking over the property?'"
Rangitikei District Council said all options for dealing with homes in danger of being flooded would be considered.
"Removing the inherent risk associated with future flooding of communities such as Whangaehu, and others around the country, will involve multiple options and different agencies and groups not necessarily just the local council acting on its own," chief executive Ross McNeil said.
"Rangitikei District Council will need to consider all of the options if enduring solutions for these long-standing at-risk communities are to be found."
Six dangerous and insanitary building notices were issued in Whangaehu village following the flood, council spokesman Johan Cullis said. Since then one of those had since been removed.
Mr Cullis said the remaining homes were at various stages of repair and the council would re-inspect when owners were ready.
Meanwhile there are 23 more properties throughout the district currently under the same notice.