Havoc as Hurunui breaches banks

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 3

Havoc as Hurunui breaches banks

By

ROBYN BRISTOW

The Hurunui River breached its banks during a record flood yesterday, flowing through a recreational reserve and closing State highway 7. The river, flowing at its highest since the North Canterbury Catchment Board began monitoring 32 years ago, breached its banks about Ikm upstream of the Hurunui River bridge. , . ~ ... -. It thdfi 'flowed atross the .Timberlantis recreational reserve and across the. highway just north of the bridge. Water over the highway was up to lm deep and 100 m wide. The water rose over the bonnets of many cars which had initially tried to drive through it. Motorists were allowed through for about an hour from 11.30 a.m., but as the road surface and verges became threatened it was decided to close the road. ] Works Corporation staff stationed at i the Waipara junction and north of the i

flooded area turned motorists back. Water began flowing over the highway about 10 a.m. - Stock was isolated and lamb losses are feared. . . ' , A rescue team helped save stock on the east side of the bridge. It will be several days before stock losses can be assessed. The Automobile Association (Canterbury) said last evening that the highway was closed; for the night, but a detour; was available along State highway 1 and’ : the Leader Valley Road. State highway 7, the reserve and the Balmoral Cricket Club ground are ’ expected to need extensive repairs. The construction engineer of the North Canterbury Catchment Board, Mr Ross Vesey, said the Hurunui River reached a record height of 7.1 m about 2 p.m. at its confluence with the Mandamus River, about 30km upstream from the breach.