Little Flooding Occurs In North

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 12

Little Flooding Occurs In North

Heavy as,the rain has been during the week-end, the moisture has been so rapidly absorbed that little or no, flooding has taken place. Just south of Moerewa, the main highway was covered, but not sufficiently to cause a blockage. The only service car not to reach Whangarei this morning was that from Paparoa, flooding having occurred on Jones’ Flat, Waiotira, and elsewhere. Dargaville, Russell, Pakotai and Pipiwai routes were-clear. Flat Land Benefits. Flooding is not anticipated in the Hikurangi Swamp area, which, together with other low-lying country, has benefited considerably by the dry spell. Prior to the present rain, the Wairua River was at a lower level than Mr F. Elliott has seen it for years. Creeks were almost empty, and cattle were able to penetrate deeply into the swamp, where good roughage was to be had. Flats saturated by several wet seasons have dried out and sweetened, so that, after the warm rain, there should be an abundant growth of feed.

Waiarohia Swollen.

The Waiarohia Stream has risen considerably above normal summertime level as the result of the steady week-end rain. This morning it was about three feet higher than usual, and showed signs of having been at least a foot above that height during the night, when the rain was at its heaviest. The swimming pool in Central Park was about 18 inches above normal, with a turgid, yellow mass of floodwater sweeping over the dam. Stripped to the waist in the warm rain, a small party of Borough Council employees had a difficult task i® opening the flood-gates to allow the water an easier getaway. Although there was no danger of flooding this morning, it was realised that a continuation of to-day’s rain might bring serious results.