Many Farmers Marooned by Floods

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 45, 22 February 1945, Page 4

Many Farmers Marooned by Floods

WORST VISITATION IN LIVING MEMORY (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, Feb. 21. With all the rivers running feet above the previous highest levels and some already having broken their banks to send water swirling over the countryside, South Canterbury is experiencing the worst flood in memory. The season has been disastrous enough, but the exceptionally heavy rain in the last 24 hours has produced damage which is likely to amount to many thousands of pounds. There is also a distinct possibility of loss of life as several parties were known to-night to be marooned with no chance of rescue before daylight. Throughout to-day hundreds of people were evacuated from homes in the Saltwater Cteek area of Timaru where the water on the airport reached a depth of 11 feet and is still rising tonight. Many homes had to be evacuated in Waimate, Temuka and Geraldine. In Temuka the water was two feet deep in shops. The previous highest level in Temuka was back in 1902 and then not as serious as now. In the Totara Valley area 1000 sheep were washed away from one farm alone and stock losses on other farms are likely to be heavy. There are a number of rumours tonight concerning loss of life hut none are confirmed. It is known that a number of persons ate marooned on the Opihi River reserve where the water rose 10 feet. At Pleasant Point a bus containing 12 passengers is marooned on a bridge and they Will have to stay there till daylight. Further south an Army truck with an unknown number of passengers is also marooned. The rainfall in one area was 14 inches in 36 hours while in Timaru six inches have fallen in 24 hours.