DELUGE IN CITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20638, 19 August 1941, Page 6

DELUGE IN CITY

CHRISTCHURCH STORM FLOODING IN SUBURBS WATER 2 FT. DEEP (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Christchurch experienced the most boisterous night in recent history, with a deluge of rain accompanied by thick flurries of snow, resulting in all creeks and streams being in high flood. Low-lying areas in Beckenham, St. Martin’s, Opawa, Woolston and Radley districts were inundated when the Heatheote River broke its banks because of the abnormal rainfall and the heavy volume of water draining into it from the hills. In the 24 hours between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, there was a fall of 2.09 in. of rain, by far the greater portion of this unusually high figure being recorded during the night. Many residents in the badly affected areas had an anxious night. The steady rise of water was alarming to some and, with water creeping up to the doorsteps and over the foundations in many parts, some thought seriously of vacating their homes. In Clarendon and Richardson Terrace, the flood water was nearly 2ft. deep. In the* country districts there was considerable flooding, the township of Leeston being inundated to a depth of 6ins., while the Christchurch-Akaroa highway was blocked with slips.