SOUTHLAND LASHED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 January 1939, Page 6

SOUTHLAND LASHED

EXTENSIVE FLOODING AND MUCH DAMAGE OCCUPANTS EVACUATE HOUSES GIRL BLOWN OVER IN STREET INVERCARGILL. 16th January. A violent south-westerly storm lashed Southland to-day. causing extensive flooding and much damage. Communications were destroyed in many country districts atid information is difficult to obtain. At Waipahi, 15 miles from Gore, four houses were evacuated The water rose six feet about the floors of the houses Early in the afternoon, a lorry was negotiating a flooded road successfully until waves, caused by the winds, stopped the engine. Within an hour the lorry was completely out of sight. At Pukerau, six houses were evacuated after the water rose six inches above the floor boards Southland is now isolated, as all possible detours have been closed by the floods. The mid-day express from Dunedin arrived two hours late, but the through express *rom Christchurch could not get past Clinton, where four* feet of water are over the line. In Invercargill, trees were uprooted and sheet iron tern from roofs A girl was blown over in Dee street, suffering minor injuries, and the worst corner in the centre of the city was

negotiated by elderly persons holding on to the building. Because ol rough weather the s.s. Maunganui which was to have sailed to-night for Melbourne, will now sail to-morrow night if the gale abates. LITTLE SIGN OF ABATEMENT LOSSES OF STOCK MORNING EXPRESS HELD UP INVERCARGILL, This Day. Though the storms shows little sign of abatement, reports from eastern and northern districts state that rivers are generally normal. Some of the smaller streams and creeks are flooded, resulting in losses of sheep. Five cows were electrocuted as a result of coming in contact with fallen power line in Wyndham district. The morning express only got as far as Gore, but through communication is expected to be restored by four o'clock. SEED AND FRUIT CROPS HEAVY LOSSES REPORTED HASTINGS, This Day. At least a 50 per cent, loss of uncut seed, crops resulted through the gale at Hastings yesterday, according ot estimates made this morning, and although the wind is now less severe, it is still causing considerable damage to crops. Cut crops throughout the district are piled on fences, and most of the seed is lost, and ripened uncut crops also lost a quantity of seed. Orchards suffered despite wind shelter belts and ripening Gravensteins suffered extensively, also Delicious. Peach losses are heavy Breaks in the power circuit caused by falling irees over a considerable portion of the reticulated area are now almost completely restored, and telephone services are normal. The Power Board determined that decisive action must be taken regarding trees over lines, which caused most of the damage yesterday at considerable cost.