Torrential Rain, Floods At Wellington

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1940, Page 6

Torrential Rain, Floods At Wellington

[Per Press Association. Copyright ] WELLINGTON, This Day.

A torrential downpour between 7.45 and 8.15 this morning caused extensive flooding on the Hutt Road through a blockage of culverts by rubble brought down from water courses that have rarely before given trouble.

Only one slip occurred and it was not of a serious nature, being well back from the road, but the northbound section of the divided highway was made impassable and thousands of yards of debris were washed over it. ' Stream Pours Over Road. At a quarry where three streams meet south of Petone, the downpour caused the combined stream to leave its watercourse and pour over the road, carrying upwards of 100 yards of metal through the culvert into the harbour. A considerable distance of railway line was also under water, but there was little delay to trains. Workers at the municapal .abattoirs at Ngahauranga had a hectic half hour this morning saving stock from, rising flood waters, which invaded the pens and covered the entire yard to a depth varying from 3ft to 6ft.

Abattoirs Out of Action

Damage was kept down to a minimum, but the abattoirs are today practically out of action. r

A house on the eastern side

of the plant had a narrow escape when a small stream rose 12 feet and a wide area of bank was washed away, taking the garden at the side of the house with it.

The water ran high against the house and under it.

A pet puppy was rescued from a dangerous predicament on an island amid the swirling stream.

Heavy Rain Throughout Night

Heavy rain fell through the night, totalling 2.64 in up to 9 a.m., when it eased off and later the weather became fine.

Low-lying places in the Lyall Bay and Miramar areas also show signs of excess water and several residents in Queen’s Drive, below the bad slip that occurred last month spent hours during the night protecting their premises from further encroachment that carried over the roadway.