FLOODS AT DUNEDIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 March 1929, Page 5

FLOODS AT DUNEDIN

SUDDEN AND DISASTROUS. MANY HOUSES INVADED. RESCUERS' BUSY TIME: (tiy "jelegr&pD —Abrfuciatiou. s DUNEDIN, March 20. The Hood which swept Dunedin and its environs yesterday was as sudden as it was disastrous. Up to a p.m., though the rain was persistent ana heavy, there was no threat of a hood, out by o o’clock tne Water or Leith had leapt its banks and was descending upon tne northern area. Concord Creek was pouring down tiie Cayersham tunnel into the southern suburb, and there was every indication ot a repetition of the floods oi 1923. So far as the northern area is concerned, it has proved probably even more damaging Between 9 o’clock and 2 a.m. a big band of workers, police, naval men troin the Dunedin, social workers and firemen, were hard at it removing people from their homes in Woodhaugn,. North-east Valley, and Harbour Terrace, where in places there were 4ft to sft of water.

Some of the work was highly dangerous, the flood waters moving like a river current. In one instance it took six men to carry one woman clear, and then one of the rescuers was carried off liis feet and swept down many yards. Towards 11 o’clock the Leith waters, flowing via Cumberland and Castle Streets, were as far citywards as St. Andrew Street, and later from Castle [Street they invaded lower High Street as far as Queen’s Gardens. This morning there were still 3ft of water and debris in St. Andrew Street. The southern suburbs escaped more lightly than in 1923, but here, too, many houses were flooded and there is much damage reported. The train services were badly hit. The south express last evening had to return from Mosgiel owing to breaks further south, but a special got away this morning 'carrying the Prime Minister and his party to a complimentary banquet at Invercargill. The north line is still blocked by a big break at Mihiwaka. This morning revealed a scene of havoc and desolation in the eastern and northern ends of the city. From the outlet of the Leith at the boatharbour to the Leith Valley bridge the flood has wrought its damage. Premises, both residential and commercial, visited by the flood waters have their floors covered with a loathsome coating of slime. Roads are torn, bridges are down, huge pieces of the banks have disappeared, and many houses are still surrounded by water. One home is ruined; a- big slice of the Leith Valley Road has gone with the flood waters. Although not so extended in duration the flood last night was more serious for the northern and eastern parts of the city thaVi the flood of April, 1923. A greater area was covered with water, and on the low-lying land near Logan Park the residents spent a terrifying night. The inmates of every house in the lower part of Harbour Terrace were forced to vacate their hollies, as the water rose 4ft early in the evening. At high tide (11 p.m.) the flood was at its worst, and within an hour a fall of five feet was recorded at the Forth Street bridge. * . Meanwhile the rescuers were paying greater attention to Harbour Terrace and Harrow Street. The collapsing of the structural part of the suspended bridge across Harrow Street, owing to the fearful battering of logs crashing their way to the harbour and the forceful passage of water, was really the start of the flooding of that district. Men in all manner of attire threw themselves into the rescue work, and it was with relief that the announcement was made that everybody was safe. One old man in a tenement near Forth Street would not leave liis premises, and ho had to be forcibly removed It was just in time, as a little inter his home was flooded out and marooned in an ocean of muddy water. Across Union Street the waters raced to Harbour Terrace, and then across to Logan Park. Lake Logan of old was once again a lake, and in a shorter time than anybody would have prophesied the dip in Union Street was a big basin through which wading was impossible. A rowboat was used early in the evening to rescue the people. With experience of previous floods Taieri farmers in most instances removed their stock to high land, hut some stock losses are reported. Relief measures are being instituted in Dunedin and the newspapers are opening subscription lists.

OAMARU SUFFERS HEAVILY. OAMARU, March 20. Following the deluge of ram yesterday a fire brigade eugine was engaged up to 2.30 this morning, and again all day to-day, in pumping water out of the cellars and basements of a number of Oamaru business premises. Stocks of merchandise suffered considerable damage, as also, it was feared, grain stored in Harbour Street. A number of houses in low-lying portions of the town were flooded to the window sills and damage to roads and 'footpaths is extensive. • A few retaining walls collapsed and scoured out, and a footbridge over the Oamaru creek was carried away. _ Several subsidences occurred in different parts of the town. The rainfall was the biggest downpour for years, 6.16 inches being recorded for the 2-1 hours ended 9 a.m to-day. To this may be added 43 points, reported up to 9 a.m. yesterday, bringing the total up to 6.69 inches. No single month during the past five readied lias reached this figure, the nearest month’s fall being for February of 1923, when 5.29 inches was recorded. . Reports from the country show that a deluge fell over an extensive area, hut beyond minor washouts on the roads no serious damage in the country districts is reported.