TORRENTIAL RAIN

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 48, 24 February 1917, Page 12

TORRENTIAL RAIN

DAMAGE AT WHAKATANE. (BT TELEGRAPH.—r-RESS ASSOCIATION.) WHAKATANE,' 23rd Eeb. :A torrential rainstorm broke over Whakatane on Wednesday night, and oaused considerable damage to roads and private property. It was the most severe storm experienced here for many years. Small streams from tho hill back of tho town became roaring- torrents, and overflowed their banks, submerging all'the low-lying'portions of the town. Bridges and culverts were blocked by debris. In one locality the residents were ta.ken from a flooded house in vehicles. The Town Board office, on the bank of the Wairere, Creek, was undermined and washed fifty yards down stream. _ Some sheep were drowned in the domain. Extensive landslips blocked the Valleyroad and the Maraetotara Gorge. All telegraphio and telephone communication outside the place was interrupted till this afternoon. Tho school was surrounded by water. When it subsided it left an enormous quantity of driftwood on the street, which is considerably damaged. It will probably bo some' weeks before all the roads are opened for vehicular traffic.