HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS ON WEST COAST

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1949, Page 4

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS ON WEST COAST

Loss of Stock And Roads Blocked

No g r eat danger arose from the flooding of the Grey River yesterday after heavy falls of rain inland, where, at Otira, a record inundation was experienced. Shortly after ten o’clock last ’ evening, the Grey river, though rising slowly, was still some feet from the wharf decking. A current yesterday 1 of 10 knots necessitated that all vessels in port operate at slow ahead, to prevent excessive strain being placed on the moorings. Several big logs, during the day, came down the Grey river and driftwood and ether matter, attracted by the backwash from ships’ propellors created a danger by clinging to the blades. LOSS OF SHEEP There were several sheep drowned in the upper reaches of the Taramakaii river yestrday, but no losses of cattle were reported up to late last night. Losses of sheep are expected to be serious. Many were seen floating in the upper reaches of the Taramakau river late yesterday afternoon, and there w«re many more stranded on islands.

“The situation is just hopeless”, said a farmer last evening. Vehicles were unable to proceed through Turiwhate yesterday afternoon until 4 p.m. There was 3 to 4 feet of water on the road.

The Otira Gorge route was closed due to a slip 19 miles east of Kumara. Because of a block on the Rewanui line, Liverpool State miners were unable to get to work yesterday." The slip, has been cleared and the line is open to-day. Bus passengers from Hokitika to join the express at Otira, had to be taken to Greymouth to connect with the train. All air services were cancelled. Most roads leading from Greymouth were covered with water in places yesterday and late last evening the Mackay and Boundary Sts. intersection was flooded, the water being several inches deep. The watertables in other streets ran full during the evening, but expectations prompted in some quarters that the river would overflow were nowise realised.

Heavy rain fell at Dobson yesterday and the main road was_covered with water at several places. Traffic was able to proceed along the road, and no slips were reported.

The heavy rain was welcomed by fishermen, several being in evidence in Sawyer’s Creek at about 5 o’clock last evening. The rivers throughout Westland County were yesterday heavily flooded. At Black’s Point, on the Lewis Pass road, a slip occurred but was cleared early yesterday morning. HEAVY RAINFALL IN GREYMOUTH For the 24 hours up till 9 o’clock last evening, 3.16 inches of rain was recorded at the Karoro climatological station. The observer, Mr D. S. Binnie, said that this was the heaviest fall he had recorded since the inception of the station some four years ago. Incidentally, yesterday brought another notable occasion for Mr Binnie, in that it was the first time the humidity had reached the maximum of 100 per cent. The rain fell incessantly from 9.30 on Wednesday evening till about 7 a.m. yesterday, during which period 2.41 inches was recorded. The rain lightened off during the day yesterday for only 13 points was recorded from 8 a.m. till 5 o’clock last evening. Steady rain, however, set in about 6 o’clock, for from then till 9 o’clock 10 points had fallen. Rain was still falling steadily at mid-night. A nor’westerly of a velocity of from 12' to 18 m.p.h. prevailed most of the day and last evening. WATERS RECEDE IN GREY VALLEY Mr H. G. Carter, the well-known farmer of Kamaka, said last evening he thought the flood waters reached its peak shortly after dark. It was one of the biggest floods for several years. Most farmers. took precautions, said Mr Carter, who spent most of Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday rounding up his sheep, which he had safe on dry ground before . the river and creeks had risen to any marked degree. Although his cattle were on the beach when h e last saw them, he expected them to be alright, for they always went of their own accord to higheiground. He had not last evening heard of any stock losses. When questioned about the flood, Mr J. Mulcare, of Ngahere, said that as far as he could ascertain very little damage had resulted in his area, but all rivers and creeks were very much above normal. He had not lost any stock, but did not know how otheifarmers in the Grey Valley had fared. HEAVY RAINS CONTINUE UP COUNTRY At 1.30 o’clock this morning reports from ilkamatua, Arthur’s Pass and Otira stated that torresntial rain was falling in all three places and showed no signs of abating. It was reported that a slip had occurred in the vicinity of Stillwriter but no details were available at an early hour this morning. The Harbour Beard autneriti'-s reported at 1.30 this morning than the river'had dropped three feet in the previous three hours and was then still falling.

The Railways Department stated that all traffic was running normally and no damage bad been reuertec. on any of. the permanent ways

REEFTON FLOODING More than two inches of rain fell at Reefton yesterday, and the Inangahua river was four feet above normal at the Reefton bridge. A slip occurred on the Lewis Pass road near Black’s Point yesterday, but was cleared by mid-day.

Postponement of the issue of new butter ration cards until October 12, instead of October 10, as originally intended, was” announced to-night by the Rationing Controller. Offices of issue, and hours during which the cards would be issued, would remain unaltered. —Press Assn. j