DAMAGING FLOOD WATERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 183, 1 May 1929, Page 6

DAMAGING FLOOD WATERS

SERIOUS LOSSES AT NELSON MAITAI RIVER OVERFLOWS BANKS Dominion Special Service. Nelson, April 30...' Following on exceptionally heavy rain yesterday, the worst flood in the city for over 20 years was experienced last night. • The Malta! River and Brook Street stream rose rapidly, and at about 10.30 p.m. were at their height. The Maital River rose about ten feet, while the Brook Street stream in ’its narrow confines was running about fifteen feet above normal. Extensive damage was done to property along the banks. In the city streets were flooded and business premises were invaded. The low-lying portions of the town to the westward carried several feet of water, while in Waimea Street, between Hardy and Bridge Streets, the sewers burst and portions of the road buckled in. In Brook Street several washouts occurred, and a gas'main was washed away, cutting off the supply in this part of the outlying area. In the country districts large areas were flooded, and small bridges washed 'away, wh’.’.a communications by road were hell up. Train services were aiso temporarily suspended. The severity of the rain can be judged from the fact that 4.26 inches of rain fell for the previous 24 hours up to 9 o’clock this morning, making 9.11 for the year to date. To-day the weather is fine but dull. The area embraced by Waimea Street, Van Diemen Street, the mouth of Washington Valley, Lower Vanguard Street, Anzae Bark, and the railway station was a huge lake during the night, and was one of the places where the most people were affected. The water entered many business premises and dwellings. The Waimea Street sewer could not accommodate the extraordinary amount of storm-water, and about 8 o'clock last night, the water was gushing up four feet high from the manhole at Gould's corner. Even this did not relieve the pressure sufficiently, and the sewer burst in various points in the street. The main break was about forty feet along Waimea Street northwards from Gould's corner, but the surface was cracked, and buckled for a considerable distance, both above and below that point. Anzae Park was a miniature lake all night, and people on their way to work this morning had to make a detour, for the pathways through the park were covered with water. Cock and Company’s offices were flooded out by the water, but there was little harm done. Most of the residences and other buildings in Waimea Street, between Bridge and Hardy Streets, were flooded, and in some easy damages was done to floor coverings, wallpaper, etc. In Lower Hardy St., between Waimea and Vanguard Sts., the water was a foot deep in most of the buildings, and the street when the water was at its highest was covered to a depth of 2ft. Gin. The whole of Vanguard Street from Haven Road past Kirkpatrick’s jam factory was part of the huge lake. Some of the houses became untenable, and cars were requisitioned to carry the occupants to the houses of their more fortunate, and drier friends. Considerable damage was done in Messrs. Neale • and Hnddow’s office and store. A quantity of bran and pollard in sacks was ruined, and even the safe be- ' camo full of water. The water, was up to the doorsteps of Kirkpatrick’s factory, but did not come inside. The Post Boy Hotel, on the corner of Gloucester Street and Vanguard Street, however, was flooded twice during the day. The railway yard was left inches deep in silt this morning. As an indication of the amount of water that flowed through there during the night, Mr. Hornbrow, the chief clerk, and his family, had to leave their House before midfiight. A good flow of water crossed the terrace in front of the Boys’ College, and part of the bank between the fives courts has been washed on to the main playing area. A sheet of water covers the Y.M.C.A. tennis courts, and extends to the rear of the Bank of New Zealand premises. The flood waters in Montgomery’s garage were over two feet in depth at the maximum last night, and this afternoon there was still a foot of water in the central part of the the garage. Serious Washouts. The Brook Street stream took heavy toll of property adjacent to its banks. Washouts occurred in several parts of Brook Street, taking with them the threeinch gas main, leaving people in the vicinity without light, while gardens were swept and footbridges washed away. Perhaps the worst sufferer from the flood is Miss Turton (of the Tourist Office, and formerly of Wellington), whose property is situated in a bend of the Brook stream. The floods some months ago carried away a portion of her property, and the owner decided to put in a concrete wall with iron railings to reinforce it. and the work was commenced last week. About 9.30 p.m. the first signs of danger were evidenced and the contractor obtained his men and endeavoured to divert the water with sacks filled with gravel which had been deposited on the roadway for the concrete. The flood gradually got the upper hand, however, and the water got behind a protecting stone bank and at its way under the house, carrying away all Miss Turton’s garden tools, lawn mower, wood and a number of other articles. A large portion of the property had also been carried down the flooded stream by this time, and those engaged in the operations were helpless. At about 11.30 the stone wall gave way with a crash that could be heard above the pouring waters forty yards away. Gradually a portion of the bank pnderneath the house was eaten away, a concrete path leading down to the stream fell, and a couple of piles supporting the house were next swept away while others were left suspended to the floor. The greater portion of Miss Turton s property was swept away, including the garden in which the owner took so much pride. The loss is a very severe one to Miss Turton. Continuing its course, the stream took a corner of Mrs. Griffin’s property on the western blink away, and then changed its course, and swept away a portion of Mr. C. Hamilton’s property, including a footbridge. Further down the water goughed out a portion of the bank on the Wainui house property, and that of Mr. G. Wharton’s. Damage Along Maitai Banks. The river Maitai, which was carrying n vast volume of water late last night, did a good deal of damage to property along its banks. Where the brook stream joins tho river the flow was terrific, and swept the banks right down to the Collingwood Street Bridge.