A Big Flood at Greymouth.

Hastings Standard, Issue 267, 10 March 1897, Page 2

A Big Flood at Greymouth.

THE BUSINESS PART UNDER WATER. NEWSPAPERS UNABLE TO PUBLISH. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ANTICIPATED. RAILWAY TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED. [By Telegraph.] (Per Press Association.) Greymouth, This day. The heaviest flood ever experienced here occurred this morning, and now running. At 1 a.m. the firebolls were rung to arouse the inhabitants, and business people immediately began to lift their goods off the floor. By 1 o'clock the torrent was rushing over the wharf, and the whole of the business part of the town was submerged from 2ft to 6ft deep, and dangerous currents are rushing down many parts of the streets. All business is suspended, and now (11 a.m.) the water is a foot deep in premises in the middle part of the town, and much deeper in other parts. The Star office has over a foot of water on the floor. The Argus could not publish, being flooded out, and there can be no evening paper to-night. It rained hard all night, but now shows signs of improvement, although it is still raining up country. It is impossible at present to estimate the damage done, but it will be very considerable. Bkunxeuton, This day. Owing to the flood the railway traffic between Reefton, Greymouth, and Jackson's is interrupted. Many heavy slips have occurred, and farmers have suffered heavy loss in cattle. Several houses were shifted. The total extent of the loss is not yet known. Communication is unlikely to be restored for some days.