OTAGO FLOODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 212, 8 September 1927, Page 11

OTAGO FLOODS.

LAWRENCE SUFFERS MOST.

MUCH DAMAGE TO TOWNSHIP.

WEATHER NOW CLEARING. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, Wednesday. The people of Lawrence had a very trying time to-day, in consequence of the rainstorm. Heavy rain fell continuously from early on Monday morning to late last night, and Wetherstone's Creek, which is at the back of the main street, became a raging torrent. The swirling water pounded away at the railway embankment, and 50yds of it was washed away. Very soon the streets of the town were covered with between sft and 6ft of water, and many of the residents became panic-stricken.

Early in the afternoon the business people, anticipating the visitation, removed as much of their stock as possible to the counters, but as the height of the flood increased even the counters were awash, and p. great deal of damage was done. The water broke into Mr. H. Winmill's drapery establishment and carried away goods on the counter.

I It was impossible this morning to estimate the extent of the damage. There were many narrow escapes from drowning, but fortunately those in the flooded areas were removed to safety by means of a fleet of motor lorries, all the vehicles in the town being requisitioned for the purpose. Much damage was done to streets, and footpaths were torn up in many places by the swiftly-moving water. Family Goes to Police Station. The most serious happening in Dunedin was that of a family that had to leave home before daybreak and seek shelter at a suburban police station. The water was over the floors of the house before they left it. Many of the streets of Mosgiel were flooded. The Owhiro Stream overflowed and the water backed up in the streets near the Mosgiel railway station. Some of the residents are surrounded with water from this stream. A big slip came down on the road at Broad Bay, Otago Peninsula, and through vehicular traffic was blocked. Passengers by motor buses had to transfer by walking round the slip. A record fall of rain was gauged at Waipori, 2.35 in having fallen from 10.30 a.m. yesterday to 8 a.m. to-day. This! is the highest fall recorded in more ' than 20 years. !

The weather now shows aigns of clearing.