School near Dannevirke closed after water and power cut

Ruahine School is nestled near the Ruahine Ranges, 12km southwest of Dannevirke. It has about 150 students. Photo / Google Maps

A primary school near Dannevirke closed for the day on Thursday after strong winds cut the power and left the school without water.

The strong wind saw Dannevirke Fire Brigade deal with two call-outs, the first at 8.15am to clear a tree that had fallen across State Highway 2, at Wairaruhe.

The second was at 8.58am when fallen power lines set fire to trees on Top Grass Rd, an area that is often battered by strong winds.

Seven country roads were closed by fallen trees. The roads affected were Weber, Tutuwera, Ngapaeruru, Maharaharam Waihi Valley, Oporae and Tuwai. All but Tuwai Rd had been reopened on Thursday afternoon.

MetService had a weather watch out in place at the time with warnings of high winds and gusts of up to 125km/h recorded in exposed parts of the region.

The power cut meant Ruahine School's water pump wouldn't work so the toilets were unable to be flushed. It also meant there was no drinking water for the children.

Parents were told to pick up their children as soon as possible, with the school posting the news on its Facebook page.

School board chairperson Lisa Charmley said power to the school was lost at around 8.40am.

The decision to close the school and send the children home was made at 8.50am.

All three buses that service the school were cancelled because of the force of the wind.

The school is nestled near the Ruahine Ranges, 12km southwest of Dannevirke. It has about 155 students.