BAD FLOODING IN SOUTHLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25678, 15 December 1948, Page 3

BAD FLOODING IN SOUTHLAND

UNUSUALLY HEAVY RAIN CASCADE CREEK CAMP EVACUATED "The Press” Special Service INVERCARGILL. December 14 Serious flooding which necessitated the, evacuation of the guests of the Cascade creek camp has occurred in the Lumsden and Mossburn districts as a result of exceptionally heavy rain in the back country to-day. Both the Oreti and Otaura rivers are in high flood, and it is expected that the flood waters will reach the iron bridge near Invercargill by to-morrow evening. The stream at Cascade creek became a swirling river during the day. and the water overflowed the banks and carried boulders and debris down to the road leading to the motor camp. The water lapped the huts on either side of the road. - It was considered advisable to transfer persons at Cascade to the Te Anau Hotel, but the staff remained behind About an hour after the guests had reached the hotel, word was received that the approaches to the bridge over the Dunstan river, about 20 miles from Te Anau. had been washed away. It will be impossible for vehicles to' get past Dunstan until repairs have been completed. However, the staff at Cascade has adequate supplies. Very heavy rain fell on the Milford track, which in parts was covered by three feet of water. At Te Anau, the lake was two feet above normal.’