North Let Off Lightly In Storm

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1938, Page 8

North Let Off Lightly In Storm

Disoi'ganisation caused by the heavy rain which fell in parts of Northland was largely rectified today when train communication at reduced speeds was possible and only two main highways —Mangakahla and via the Wheki Valley to Dargaville x’emained closed. In both instances, alternative routes wex’e available. All services are running. Although fairly heavy rain was general, many parts of the North escaped with nothing more than a drenching. With fine weather today, the work of rehabilitation is being facilitated. Whangarei Rainfal. Several heavy showex's were again experienced in Whangarei yesterday. A downpour of short duration took place shortly after 9 a.m., and after intermittent rain during the day, there were one or two falls of tropical intensity during the evening. At no stage did the heavy rain last any length of time, the total fall for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. today being .85 inch, compared with yestex'day’s figure of 1.10 inches. Whangarei’s rainfall this year is far heavier than the average for this centre, To date this year the total fall has been 54.08 inches, whereas the average fall for the past 10 years has been only 62.81 inches. To date this month 13.31 inches of rain have fallexx in Whangarei, compared with a mere

j 5.62 inches for the corresponding month of last year. The previous month of last year had almost a record fall, 18.46 inches. Two Highways Blocked. ' Northland highways remain in part disorganised as the result of flooding and slips following the heavy rain of yesterday and the previous night. The Auckland-Whangarei main highway is now passable, a detour having j been made round the big slip at Al--1 bany. Although a number of small slips were on the road jmsterday, traffic through the Dome Valley is not obstructed. The Whangarci-Dargaville road this morning was blocked at Taylor’s Flat, by eight feet of flood water, this section having been under water since yesterday morning. Traffic between Whangarei and Dargaville should take the detour through Houto, following the main north road to Mangakahia and turning off at Titoki via Houto, emerging at Kirikopuni. Slip at Tlfcn Bridges. A big slip blocks the main road to Kaikohe at the Twin Bridges, Mangakahia, and Kaikohe traffic must follow the Kawakawa route; The Kawakawa route to Ohaeawai !is passable, although a foot of flood water has been reported at Moerewa. Heavy rain was falling at Whakapara on the Russell road this morning, but no flooding was anticipated at that point. Rain at Dargaville, The rainfall at Dargaville for the 24 hours ended 8 o’clock yesterday morning was 1.84 inches. The Waihue-Dargaville route has been blocked by flood waters and traffic yesterday morning had to turn back to Dargaville. Kaikohe Inundation. Heaviest rainfall was recorded at Kaikohe, where 3.51 inches fell during the 24. hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday. Owing to flooding on the road the mailcar was unable to make the Rawene connection. Rivers fell rapidly and by this afternoon all routes should be open -