Floods Developing Throughout Northland

Northern Advocate, 19 April 1947, Page 6

Floods Developing Throughout Northland

ACCOMPANIED by a strong gusty wind from the northeast, heavy rain swept Northland last night. Floods are developing rapidly and several roads already are blocked. At Whangarei where the wind brought a fairly fine but almost constant drizzle yesterday afternoon, conditions further deteriorated yesterday evening when the wind increased in forcvi. Shortly after midnight the rain 'developed into a downpour which continued unabated throughout the night.

Driven by the wind, which reached a considerable velocity in strong and frequent gusts, the rain found its way through many fanlights left open in houses last night. Storm channels and gutters in residential areas as well as in the business section of Whangarei were carrying a large volume of water and, in sorrfe places where blockages occurred at culverts, the Water spread on to roads and streets. The Waiarohia Stream, running through the centre of Whangarei, reached flood level this morning. At Central Park the water rose above the concrete walls of the swimming pool, spreading on to lawns. Considerable debris is being carried down by the flood waters and several large logs and pieces of trees were observed. At the Post and Telegraph Department’s store in Walton Street, where the flood waters overflowed the banks, a hardwood telegraph pole was almost washed away. After some difficulty , it was recovered and tethered with strong ropes. High tide at Whangarei this evening will bo about 7 p.m. The danger of flooding will be more acute then, when the flood waters have been backed up by the incoming tide. Rivers flowing into the Kaipara Harbour will probably reach a high level at about 11 o’clock tonight when the West Coast tide will be full. Service car drivers from northern routes report that roads are in a bad state. In the Mangakahia area the river is rising rapidly and the flood danger is imminent. Streams and rivers are rising in the Middle North, where heavy rain fell throughout last night. SEVERAL HIGHWAYS BLOCKED The main highway north of Rangiahua. near Mangamuka. was blocked, ‘according to an Automobile Association report. With the falling of the tide the service car got through. The east coast road at Kaeo is expected to flood today. At Hukerenui flood water extended across the road this morning. It was still rising. The Dargaville-Whangarei bus got through this morning. The driver stated that the river was rising at Tangiteroria and if the rain continued flooding was likely. The Kaikohe-Kawakawa road was flooded, but was expected to be again open this afternoon. The Northland air service plane arrived at Onerahi on time and left for the Far North. The official reading at Whangarei, made at 8 o’clock this morning showed that 2.33 in. had fallen during the preceding 24 hours. This brought the total for the month to date to 7.27 in.. or 2.11 in. in excess of the April average of 5.18 in. YEAR’S FALL UP The fall for the year to date, is now 20.04 in., compared with the average of 18.33 in. for the first four months of the year, taken over the past 33 years. At the Wairua Falls power station l.Oßin. of rain was recorded during the 24 hours preceding 8 o’clock this morning. The level of the river had not risen to any appreciable extent, but it was anticipated that a substantial rise would occur when the water commenced to drain from the 50,000-acre catchment area. Mr E. S. Tremaine’s gauge at Ruatangata recorded a fall of 2.03 in. for 24 hours to 9 a.m. today. In spite of the amount of rain which had fallen, no sheets of water were noticeable on paddocks and flat ground In the Bay of Islands the rain was even heavier. To 9 a.m. 3.44 in was recorded at Kaikohe, with another half-inch before 11 a.m. when blue sky appeared. Okaihau’s rainfall was over four inches and aKwakawa’S approximately the same as Whangarei’s. SPORTS FIXTURES OFF All outdoor sporting fixtures have been postponed or cancelled. Rugby fans, who had been looking forward with anticipation to the first games of the season which were to have been held today, were disap.pointed. . 1 I 1 Owing to the sodden state "of grounds in the Whangarei district, all Rugby games were cancelled by a decision of a special meeting of the emergency committee of the Whangarei Rugby Union, which met this morning. Northland provincial tennis champonship finals, arranged for today at the Whangarei Club’s courts, were postponed until next week-end. The Mangakahia Sports Club's annual fixture at Pakotai. was also postponed. Rugby League grading matches to have been played today 'at Jubilee matches will commence next weekend.

SHIPS HELD UP The bad weather has held up the Kartigi, which was to have sailed this morning from Portland, and the scow i Success, from the Town Wharf. Worlcj ing of the Ctimai has also been delayed by the rain. The Kartigi brought a cargo of coal for Portland from Westport on Thursday and was due to arrive in Auckland tomorrow. The Success has been load■ing fire clay and was expected to sail for Auckland yesterday. Load' and discharging of the Otimai at the Town Wharf has also been delayed, but she may sail for Auckland tonight if the weather moderates. Telegraphic lines between Whangarei and Auckland were out of commission for several hours, and at one period only a Morse connection was working.