WORST OF FLOOD NOW OVER

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 108, 8 May 1923, Page 8

WORST OF FLOOD NOW OVER

SIX FEET OF WATER IN BLENHEIM

HOMES

BUSINESS PEOPLE SUFFER ; SEVERE LOSSES.

(II TBLEGRAPH.—PRESS iSSOCUTIOH.)

;;'; .:. BLENHEIM, This Day. 1 ■ »The '-Waiau River burst its banks at tKe school at the Omaka bend yesterday, arid flooded tho business area of the town to a depth of four feet. Most of the shops were inundated and heavy 'lQsaes.of stocks are reported, in one instance* 'that of Girling and Co., to the extent "of about £1000.

Many houses in tho low-lying areas were.invaded by water, .and the refugees were distributed amongst the more fortunate in. the higher area. The worst locality, is Grove road, at the eastern end of the town, where many houses were 'flooded to a depth of six feet. ■ The/flood waters are now receding.

All day yesterday it was impossible to get about town, and business was at a standstill. ; ".: .

Washouts'on the Picton and Wharanui line 3 have caused 1 a complete stoppage of railway traffic.' The Ure railway and traffic:bridge was swept away, and it jb also reported that the Flaxbourne bridge'has gone. The Medway bridge, over the Upper Awatere, was washed away, and all bridges in the Pelorus district are reported to have gone. Heavy losses of stock are reported from ■various localities. All roads are blocke"d_and: .impassable, and there is no communication in any direction. The telephone service'is interrupted, and reports are 'difficult to obtain. The full extent of the damage will not-be known for some days, but what reports are available from tho country districts indicate that the flood has been general.