ROUGH WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1942, Page 6

ROUGH WEATHER

DAMAGE IN PROVINCES

A RAILWAY TUNNEL BLOCKED

High winds and torrential rain have wrought havoc in many districts in the southern half of the North Island during the last 24 to 36 hours. Rivers have boen in high flood, railways and roads have

been blocked by slips, and there

has been considerable interruption

in power and lighting services.

Although Wellington's weather during the last few days has- been unpleasant enough with its' high winds and intermittent rain, it has not been nearly as bad as that experienced in Taranaki and central portions of the North Island where, in addition to high winds, there have been thunderstorms accompanied by torrential rains.

Ohakune has been subjected to one of the most' sensational floods in its history. The railway bridge at Rochfort, .on the Ohakune-Raetihi branch, was washed away early yesterday afternoon. The debris, together with masses of driftwood, was washed down the river and piled itself up against the concrete traffic bridge in Ohakune. This diverted the flood waters into the streets. " Subsequently tractors had "to be used to remove logs which were blocking the main street. The water receded .quickly, however, but left the ; streets littered with dead fowls, eels, j trout, arid debris. Several motor-cars were overturned, one being swept into the Memorial Park. Several homes: were made' quite uninhabitable. ' During the storm many power poles in the district were brought down, and the power and lighting supply was disrupted. . t . . - RAILWAY TUNNEL BLOCKED. Jn the Taranaki district the rain has been exceptionally heavy, and there have been floods, washouts, and slips. A New Plymouth message states that large slips blocked the Stratford-Ohura Road over the Whangamomona Saddle, while the railway tunnel under it is choked with trees and timber. Strong winds ' have done considerable damage throughout Hawke's Bay. Trees blown across power lines interrupted services for some hours. Orchards suffered severely from the wind, particularly so in the Hastings districts. .-. ■.■.-,• . In Palmerston1 North there was heavy rain and thunder yesterday. The slip which completely blocked the Manawatu Gorge Road came down about three-quarters of a mile from the Ashhurst end; it is expected, how(ever, to have it cleared by todsy. , A minor washout on the railwaysthrpugto; the Manawatu Gorge delayed^ itcaiiis^ yesterday for about an hour. ]'