HEAVY RAINFALL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 10

HEAVY RAINFALL

Nine Inches Since Sunday FAR NORTH’S ORDEAL Sheet of Water Ten Miles Long Dominion Special Service. Auckland. July 21. The Whangarei correspondent of the "Herald'’ telegraphs that heavy rain fell throughout last night, but. cleared early this morning, and most of to-day was fine, with bright sunshine. However, rain again set in shortly after 3 o'clock tliis afternoon. A heavy thunderstorm passed over the town between 4 ami 6 o'clock accompanied by a deluge of rain. The lightning was particularly vivid at times. To-night light rain is falling and tlie weather is still threatening. The rainfall for the 24 hours up to 9 o’clock this morning was 3.41 in., and since 9 a.m. on Sunday bin. has fallen. Tlie lotal for tlie month is 124 in. A .subsidence occurred on tlie railway line south of Portland this morning, but was repaired this afternoon. There was also a slip between Tauraro.r ami Waiotira. which held up traffic on this section until this afternoon. With blockages at Waiomio, Hukerenui and Milnes Flat, the main highway between Whangarei and Kawakawa is completely blocked. Tlie road at Hukerenui was covered to a depth of 4ft. to-day, and it is not expected this road will be clear until after to-mor-row. The Whaka para-Helena BayRussell road was closed to-day on account of several slips, but it is expected they will be cleared to-morrow afternoon. The road is also flooded near the junction with the main highway. The Mangakahia district until today had been free from floods, but is now severely flooded in tlie Parakao and I’akotai areas. The road is covered in two places by 4ft. of water. Service cars were unable to negotiate tliis route.

The Mangakahia River was rising this evening, and heavy rain was falling at Whakapara. The water fell this morning, but was rising slightly this evening. The full force of tlie flood waters descended upon what is known as the Hikurangi swamp area to-day. It was free from serious flooding yesterday, but to-day there was a sheet of water over an area 10 miles long and in places almost a mile and a half wide. Mr. F. Elliott, a Whangarei county riding member, said it was the largest flood experienced in that district for many years and considerably eclipsed tlie heavy floods of this ami last year. In past floods there had been portions of the area uncovered, but to-day the whole of the area was covered, resembling a huge lake. The Jordan Flat Road, which runs through the swamp, is under water for many chains to a depth of several feet, and will not be negotiable for at least a week under most favourable weather. Last evening It was necessary to use boats in order to rescue marooned families. This was rendered somewhat difficult at times owing a strong wind making the water very rough. So far only small losses of stock are reported. Many farms are completely under water and it has been necessary to turn stock on to the roadside. MAIN ROAD BLOCKED No Resumption of Rail Traffic By Telegraph.—l'ress Association. Auckland, July 24. Flood conditions north of Auckland in several important instances did not improve to tlie extent hoped for to-day. and motorists particularly received a disappointing setback when tlie Dome Valley Road, ou the main highway between Warkworth and Welisford, had to l>e closed owing to a serious SlipWhile water on the railway lines in North Auckland receded fairly rapidly, a large slip at Hoteo prevented an immediate resumption of traffic, and several minor slips and subsidences necessitated reduced speeds over other portions of the lino.

Serious erosion following the heavy rain resulted in conditions becoming dangerous on the Dome Valley Road this morning, and it was decided to close the thoroughfare to all traffic pending repairs. A large wash-out has occurred on one section of the road, and it is anticipated that it will be at least’ two days before the road can be reopened, providing suitable weather obtains.

A serious inconvenience caused by the Hoods is the dislocation of mail services. Monday's mails arrived at Kai kohe on Tuesday evening, and it was expected that Tuesday's mails would arrive some time to-night. The mail* were taken by train to-day to Helensville, and then by steamer to Dargaville, from where they were taken by lorries for distribution.