A welfare centre the council opened in the Ohakune Primary School was no longer required late yesterday afternoon.
Pipiriki locals Ken and Josephine Howarth said it looked like the river was holding to the same as 1998 levels.
"It's still raining and the river is still rising, but we're okay up here," Mrs Howarth said at midday when the river level was at 12 metres.
The Ohakune and Raetihi Fire Service and police were busy with callouts through the day as rain continued to fall over the Waimarino.
Road closures from flooding were inevitable so Rangitikei College students were sent home.
Residents in the Mangawhero Terrace in Ohakune self evacuated as the Mangawhero River burst its banks and homes on Manuka St sat in a lake of water. A Miro St house also flooded.
The passing weather bomb has caused disruption around the Ruapehu district with schools closing earlier and significant damage to the road network.
The council's Alternate Civil Defence Controller, Margaret Hawthorne, advised Ruapehu residents to avoid all unnecessary travel last night.
"We already have significant damage to Ruapehu roads with flooding, fallen trees and massive slips across the district," she said.
Last night the RDC had 24 separate roads closed or dangerous road situations listed on its website; www.ruapehudc.govt.nz
Mrs Hawthorne said there were bound to be other situations they were not yet aware of.
The council asked that if the weather moderated, with the damage to the road network people should stay home and keep warm and dry.
Returuke farmer Tony Punch has lived in the valley for 20 years and said he has seen floods come through but the Returuke River was the highest he had seen it in that time.
Mr Punch said the volume of water had eroded the riverbank, but that was nature.
The Ruapehu District Council is asking Ruapehu residents to phone in any flooding or other storm related issues to 0800 123 RDC (732)
