Greymouth threatened by river

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 1

Greymouth threatened by river

Greymouth reporter For about eight hours until yesterday morning, the Grey River in high flood ran level with the top of the Greymouth wharf, without variation and without spilling over into the business area. But because the wharf is higher than much of the surrounding area, the floodwaters pushed up through the stormwater channels, causing flooding, but only a few shops were entered mainly by water entering through floorboards.

For about 20 householders in other low-lying areas of the town, including Nelson Quay and Peel Street in

Cobden, Preston Road, and Swanson and Arney streets, the flood proved to be a recurring problem. Many times in the past they have had to lift carpets and furniture, and Saturday night proved no exception. Water entered to depths of ud to 60cm. Nine families were moved for the night, spending the time with' friends, in hotels, or with the Salvation Army which opened its hall as a base. They were able to return to their homes again yesterday.

Not until 8 a.m. yesterday was a slight fall noticed in the level of the Grey River, and that was only 10cm, but with the Westland Catchment Board receiving reports of bigger drops in the Big Grey and Ahaura tributaries, there was an unanimous expression of relief. Greymouth recorded 128 mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, or a total of 205 mm for the two-day period. It was still raining in Greymouth yesterday afternoon, although lighter, and there was promise for a clearance from today. While the Grey River dropped away rapidly as the day progressed, the surface water receded, revealing silted footpaths. The whole business area was closed off to prevent sight-seeing motorists from causing waves in the water and sending them through shop doorways. A rope was tied across the Rainui railway line, and the half-arm barriers were lowered. The

Ministry of Transport maintained a road block under the Cobden Bridge viaduct to prevent entry from that direction. The Mayor of Greymouth, Dr B. M. Dallas, who went to his Coast Road home about 2 a.m. after patrolling the town throughout the evening and making broadcasts on Radio Scenicland, “just made it” through 45cm of water near Wingham Park. When he returned to the town about 8 a.m. he thought that the flooding could be over, as the level then had dropped by half. On Saturday evening, water had entered his utility vehicle and he said that “Morgan (his little dog) got his feet wet.” The councillor in charge of works for the Greymouth Borough, Cr Norman Schultze, said that some minor roading damage could be expected, but the only serious item yesterday was the fall of a two-tonne rock from the hillside on to Marsden Road near the intersection with Coates Street. By nightfall, all silt had

been swept from the streets of the business area. High tide at Greymouth yesterday was 10.30 a.m., but by then the flood level was dropping appreciably. Sawyer’s Creek, which has been the subject of a flood protection scheme, was not affected. Access to the province was, however, restricted. The Arthur’s Pass route was closed by snow at Otira and flooding at Cass. A section of the Lewis Pass highway between Ikamatua and Reefton was closed for a time by flooding, and only a single lane was available on the coastal highway between Greymouth and Westport because of slips at various points. The West-port-Karamea road was closed for much of the day by slips.