TORRENTIAL RAIN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2664, 1 September 1937, Page 5

TORRENTIAL RAIN

2-1 INCHES ON MONDAY LOW-LYING PARTS FLOOD HAURAKI PLAINS DRENCHED. Fears for floods entertained in Paeroa on Monday when stormy conditions, with heavy, driving rain and high velocity gusts of wind set in, were allayel when the weather moderated yesterday, although rain continued in periodical showers throughout the clay and until late at night. After a fortnight of glorious spring weather the week-end presaged a turn for the worse, and a gale began to work up late on Sunday night and on Monday. Over 21 inches of rain fell during Monday and Monday night, but the intensity of the fall slackened, only 65 points being registered between 9 a.m. yesterday and to-day. The torrential nature of the Monday’s downpour was exemplified by the great accumulation of stormwater on all low-lying parts of the borough a few hours after the rain had commenced. Storm-water drains and the usual drainage channels filled and overflowed, inundating the low levels, particularly in the vicinity of Puke and Station roads, Wood street and the main highway to Waihi, although no serious damage was done. Presaged by the warm wind which sprang up last evening, this morning dawned fine and sunny with the spring atmosphere appropriate to September 1, and more in keeping with the promise of fair weather held out a fortnight ago. The Hauraki Plains, too, received a heavy fall of rain which came too fast for the drains on the farms to cope with, many paddocks rapidly becoming flooded. The roadside drains, however, are not carrying a great deal more than the normal flow.

Readings taken on the rain gauge at the Public Works Department’s office at Paeroa give the total rainfall since Saturday as 3.25 inches, the figures up to 9 a.m. each day being : Sunday .02 in.; Monday .01; Tuesday 2.57; Wednesday .65.

The farms in the low levels in the vicinity of Matatoki, as usual accumulated a large amount of stormwater, but no obstruction was caused to the Thames-Paeroa highway.