Heavy Floods in Hawke’s Bay

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6910, 16 May 1929, Page 7

Heavy Floods in Hawke’s Bay

DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES IF RAINS CONTINUE FIFTY PEOPLE MAROONED IN SERVICE CARS Per Press Association. NAPIER, Last Night. After two days of steady and at times very heavy rain the low-lying country near the rivers from Waipukurau in the south nearly to Wairoa in the north was inundated to-day. Three rivers broke their banks. The railway line was under deep water between Napier and Hastings and numerous roads were blocked. Napier itself escaped, but tho farming districts surrounding were hard hit, although no great loss of stock occurred, thanks to amide warning being given. The mails to Napier were all delayed owing to the express from Wellington being unable to get through. Passengers were transferred to buses which made a detour, and they, as well as the mails, reached Napier late. Serious Consequences Expected If the downpour does not abate tonight, more breaks are expected in the livers which are still rising fast, with serious consequences. Most danger was' experienced at Meance, a small village right on the banks of the Tutaekuri river not far from Napier. Last night the water had risen 12f feet above normal and the residents worked through tho night stopping gaps in the banks adjacent to their residences with sand bags and any other material handy. During yesterday, a blockage at the bridge leading to the village caused the water to slop over and pour down the approaches to the surrounding country. Tho river cleared itself here, however, and the approaches were dammed to prevent a recurrence. Although tho banks were raised sufficiently to savo an overflow near tho village, which would have meant a disastrous flood over tho Taradale district and many small farms in the vicinity, tho river made breaches in three other places. This afternoon it was 12ft. 9in. above normal, and n further rise was expected to-night. Slip Behind and Flood BeforeAn exciting time was experienced by 50 passengers in thirteen service cars besides two trucks which were held up all night at Tangoio ford on the Napicr-Wairoa road. The party was trapped owing to an impassable stream ahead and a slip behind, and had to remain beside the ford all night without food until this morning when they were got across by means of ropes suspended over the stream. The bus service between Napier and Hastings was stopped at 10.30 this morning, and a special train service was instituted. However, the liuo was so deep under water by three o’clock this afternoon that it was deemed unwise to let the south express go out. Passengers were taken to Hastings in buses by a roundabout route and the train despatched from there. Passengers and mails on the Wellington express to-night were transhipped at Hastings to buses and thence to a special train at Clive. A working gang will inspect tomorrow morning to gauge the danger. Late to-night the Ngaruroro river was the worst danger. The surrounding lands are all under water and stock was hurriedly removed to lflgher places. The waters had reached a higher level than in the last flood and it was considered that if no fall occurred the position was likely to be very serious. Biggest Flood for 30 Years at Waipukurau HEAVY STOCK LOSSES FEARED. Per Press Association. WAIPUKURAU, Last Night. Following 36 hours of steady rain, the Tukituki river is carrying a large volume of wator, higher than has been known for a great many years. In many it has overflowed its banks,, and low-lying areas near the river are inundated. In some instances the water entered several houses, the residents having to vacate them. The borough septic tank is covered

with flood water. It is possible much damage has been done. Reports from Takapau, Porangahau and Tikokino indicate heavy flooding and serious loss of stock, sheep particularly, is feared. Lake Hatuma overflowed its banks this afternoon and the waters are now spreading over a big area. A portion of Waipukurau racecourse is inundated, also portions of Russell and Central parks. Road communications east to the coast and also to Wellington is interrupted by flood waters near Wanstead and Marakcke. Residents of thirty years state that never have they known such a flood. Little damage has occurred in the borough area. _ _ ; The river is still rising and it is still raining. The wind is south easterly.

Heavy Floods in Wairarapa WORST FOR TWENTY YEARS. RIVERS STILL RISING. Per Press Association. MASTERTON, Last Night. The worst floods experienced at Tniui for over twenty years occurred to-day. The Oastlepoint County office and sovcral residences were invaded by flood waters. The township was completely cut off and no mails were dispatched or received. There was one sheet of water from Hillside to Hillside all the way from Tinui to Langdale. In 24 hours till seven o’clock this

morning about six inches of rain was recorded. The residences invaded by flood waters are those of Messrs Liddington H. E. Mclsaac, T. A. Weston, Constable Wilson and the Vicarage occupied by Ilev. H. Whitby James, besides the county offices. The latter had water to a depth of six or seven inches and the county clerk (Mr. T. A. Watson) had to remove his office books and other papers to a safer place. The inroads of water at the residences mentioned wero so serious that they had to be vacated except in the case of the Vicarago where the occupants were absent. There, however residents found articles of furniture floating round and they removed all articles from tile floor. Very good service was rendered by Messrs R. J. Stevenson, P. Fly and Constable Wilson in assisting residents. Mr Stevenson had to remove his motor lorry from his garage in which later the water was three feet deep. It did not, however, invade his house but was as high as the door step. Mr. E. H. Schofield was another sufferer and had to vacate his house. It is anticipated that losses of stock i,i the district will be fairly heavy as the flood came so suddenly that settlers had little time to remove their sheep. The latest reports show that the waters wero receding but it was still raining heavily this evening and with the backing up of the Wharoama river with the tide further trouble was expected. The rivers are reported to be rising in the lower Wairarapa Valley this evening and floods may bo expected to occur in that district in the next 24 hours. Water was flowing over the Martin-borough-Featherston road early this evening. Damage has also occurred on the east coast from Martinborough.