HEAVY FLOODING AT HOKITIKA

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1949, Page 4

HEAVY FLOODING AT HOKITIKA

Following the very heavy rain at Hokitika on Wednesday and the following morning, the Hokitika River was in high flood yesterday. With a large sand bank across the river entrance, the flood waters were backed by the tide, .and in turn backed up the street drains. This caused the low-lying parts of th e town to be inundated, especially in the vicinity of Weld and Hamilton Streets. After the heavy rain throughout Wednesday night, the flood waters made a cut through the sand bank, but the river rose to a high level. High water was at 10.30 a.m. yesterday, and by this time all the low-lying areas were flooded in town. Hamilton Street was a sheet of water, and access was difficult. In Weld Street, at Truman’s corner and th e Regent Theatre, the water was up over the footpaths. At Hurren’s corner, in Hampden Street, water was forcing up through the drain covers, and running hi a strong stream down to the railway line.

The Hokitika-Kokatahi highway was completely cut off, although it was expected th e transport lorries would get through in the late afternoon.

On Wednesday the sea and floods washed out portion of the holding bank at the Southside aerodrome, and water poured into the lower end of the ’drome. It will be necessary to repair the break in the retaining wall before the conditions alter, as the heavy seas, with th e open channel, will have a straight attack at the lower end of the ’drome.

The flood was running at ten knots in the Hokitika River at noon on yesterday, the sand bank at the mouth of the river was completely scoured out, and th e entrance to the harbour is now very wid e and straight out to sea. The old north training wall held the bulk of the waters in check, although it was noticeable that some water was running fast behind the wall, at a point just below the petrol depot. Should this break increase, it may become serious. The channel over the bar at Hokitika should be greatly improved and shipping will resume at the port immediately. The Arahura river was in high flood also, no damage was reported from this area.

rain was general with all rivers and creeks flooded. The Hokitika streets * remained flooded until well into the afternoon and the waters took a long time to drain away. A shop in Fitzherbert Street was flooded to a depth of three inches. Cameron’s paddock in Upper Sew'ell street was also flooded and the adjacent streets carried a large body of water.

Whitebait fishermen lost a good quantity of gear and equipment as the flood came down very rapidly. Fishermen are hopeful that whitebait will increase after the flood. Observers from Rimu Hill were able to gain a grand view of the Kokatahi Valley with the flood waters reaching fax- over the country. In many places the fences were not visible. Transport lorries were not able to go out to collect th e cream yesterday morning, but they intended to try again in the afternoon.