FLOOD IN MARTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 9

FLOOD IN MARTON

Three Inches of Rain in Few Hours STREET LIKE A RIVER Dominion Special Service. Marton, April 12. Over three inches of rain fell in Marton during the early hours of this morning and, as a result, there were three feet of water in the main street when an attempt was made to open the shops for business. Creeks rose at an alarming rate and within a few hours of the cloud-burst all low-lying land was ' under water. Even at midday the Marton Dark and the school grounds had the appearances of huge lakes. The school has been closed for the day. It must be ten years at least since the town has been so badly flooded. Of recent years flood protection schemes have been carried out, but lor this morning’s phenomenal downpour they proved all too inadequate. At seven o’clock Broadway was like a river. The water entered the back doors of many shops on the west side and rushed on to the street, while It entered low-lying shops on the east side. Many business men are losers. There were many unusual sights. Many men and women removed shoes and stockings and went to work along the main street barefooted, while those who were thoughtful enough to wear gumboots were called upon to pick-a-back others into the shops. It was not until about noon that the “business as usual” sign could be hoisted. At the Marton Junction railway stationjhere were no signs of tracks, and (rains ploughed through two feet of water. Shunters worked with difficulty. Work is impossible at the Marton Sash and Door Company’s factory, where timber is floating in the yard. Strangely enough there was hardly any rain at Tutaenui, about five miles north of Marton, but to the west the fall was just as heavy. In Turakina 4.19 inches fell in eight hours. Considerable damage has been done in the country and farmers were out early removing stock to higher levels. Many fences have been damaged and in some cases washed away. Several country roads are under water, but there are no reports, so far, of blockages. There has been no further rain this morning, but conditions are still threatening.