SEVERE FLOODING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 127, 24 February 1944, Page 6

SEVERE FLOODING

Whakatane Township Isolated HEAVY STOCK LOSSES

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 23.

The township of Whakatane has been isolated by flood waters since this morning and severe stock losses already have been suffered in the large area of the Rangitaiki Plains extending from Edgecunibe to Taneatua. Light rain was still falling in Whakatane touigbt and any further heavy rain will result in considerably more damage. During the last two days, Galatea, the source of the Rangitaiki Rivl-r, has had one of the heaviest rainfalls ou record. Heavy consislant rain fell from yesterday morning till this evening, when it slackened. Severe flooding Has occurred m the Rangitaiki Plains, Owing to the rapidity iu the rise of the waler, many farmers were unable to save their stock and many valuable herds have been depleted. On one Taneatua farm 15 head of pedigree cattle were last seen with only their heads above water. J udgiug by the number of carcases of cattle, sheep and pigs which have been swept through Whakatane, losses have been particularly heavy. The township is cut off by road from both Rotorua and Gisborne. No mails have been received today and it has been impossible to carry out rural deliveries. The road through the plains at Edgecumbe is threatened and at a late hour tonight flood waters were lapping the top of the stop banks. The Whakatane River has overflowed its banks and the Taneatua highway is unusable. The main access road from Rotorua into the township of Whakatane was under water today. , Minor flooding to shops and business premises occurred at midday, but most of the water later drained away. At high tide this evening water encroached on to the strand. The water is still level with the wharves, which are normally about five feet above the level of the river, even at spring tide. Sifuated on the banks of the river, Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, is threatened by the flood waters. So far it hag been able to carry out full operations, both on day and night shift, but the river would not need to rise much further before the works would be flooded. It has been impossible to transport employees to the mill by road .and they have been ferried across the river. This has been a risky business, as the river is running at high speed and is filled with logs and carcases of stock. The harbour at Whakatane prescuts a dismal scene. Muddy from the rain water from the hills, the river is scouring its way to sea, which is discoloured for several miles from the harbour- entrance.

RAIN SOAKS HAWKE’S BAY Beneficial Downpour Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS, February 23. A thorough drenching has been experienced in Hawke’s Bay during the past 24 hours, the rain being accompanied by resounding peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning. Though putting a temporary stop to the harvesting -ot the record fruit crop, the change in the weather will be beneficial to the province. Pastures were in need of a soaking, the hot, dry winds of last week having oried up the soil in several localities. Ibe big areas laid out in market gardens will also benefit by the heavy ram. though such crops as tomatoes may suffer some da During the 24 hours ended at 9 o’clock this morning 1.53 inches of Tain J 8 !??' corded at Cornwall Park, Hastings. This is the heaviest fall recorded since the first week in September last, wheni the province was given a beneficial springtime soaking. Since then barely linches of rain has been recorded. Reports this morning- were tn the effect that the rivers were handling tne position very satisfactorily, and a very heavy fall of rain m the back-country sent the Ngaruroro River up with a sudden rise, and last night this river was about seven feet above normal. .Dum„ the night it dropped again, and this moin ing all the rivers were only a small aD ?The n ehttn n oFthe-Rivers Board, Mr. C. Lassen, said this morning that it was probable that the rivers would rise a vain during today, especially as it was still raining in tho back-country, but unless the rain reached much greater d en ®: Ry, he expected that the rivers would ha4e no difficulty jn handling the extra volume of water. A good deal. of sur face water is evident m all parts of the district but from the flood viewpoint there does not appear any immediate danger. -