KARAMEA UNDER WATER

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 82, 31 December 1929, Page 6

KARAMEA UNDER WATER

RAPID RISE IN RIVER

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, December 30.

The Karamea River, rising very rapidly, last evening inundated the township and caused serious damage to property and a heavy - loss of stock. The road was scoured out in many places and a small bridge washed away. At AraIpito the water was two. feet high in the township and up to the doorstep of the post office. Many homes were invaded by water. The small coastal vessel Kotiti was in port at the time, but she is safe. Although it is not definitely established, it is thought that an earthquake dam has given way. Heavy rain had been falling, but it was not sufficient to cause such a flood. An enormous amount of timber was brought down and the water was as thick as pea soup. It was very similar to the disastrous flood at Seddonville. The flood was at its worst at the peak of the tide at 11 o’clock last evening, but the river is now falling. Arapito suffered considerably. Much of the dairy land was badly silted up. The details at present are meagre, but the damage is reported to be very extensive, especially to stock.