AFTERMATH OF STORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 12

AFTERMATH OF STORM.

FLOOD DAMAGE- IN CITY.

SEVERAL AREAS INUNDATED.

STREETS AS WATERCOURSES.

EXPERIENCES IN SUBURBS.

After the fierce' storm which raged from Monday until the early hours of yesterday morning, the city and the surrounding districts enjoyed a fine and sunny day yesterday. Especially on Monday evening the conditions were most unpleasant arid torrential rains with fierce gusts of wind marked the passage of the storm. The rainfall for the 24 hours ending at nine o'clock yesterday morning, totalled 2.88 in., which brings the total for the month to B.oßin. ' This is 3.17 in. more, or nearly double, the average rainfall for July. The total for the seven months of the year to date -is 36in., compared with an average for 12 months of 43.88 in. When the storm blew over yesterday morning many areas in the city were under water and several of the suburban streets were transformed' into watercourses .along which the waters rushed to the lower levels. No serious damage was caused and the majority of the water had disappeared by the close of the day.

Floods at Edendale. The Edendale district suffered more from the storm-water than probably any other suburb. The low-lying areas usually affected were under water. In addition, a new "storm-centre" was in evidence, several houses .at the foot of Tramnere Road, on the main Edendale Road, bpiug invaded by the water. At an early hour yesterday morning this . portion of the road Avafe 'impassable and the early tramcars had literally to plough their way through, the waters -entirely submerging the carriageway. The occupants of the houses at . this , paint were obliged to construct temporary .bridges of planks to establish communication with .dry ground. People, wishing to board the tramcars were forced to make a long deiour by way of Oxton Road in order to reach the main thoroughfare.

A lagoon of considerable size was formed at the side of the Edendale school. A motor-car,, which had been left nearby overnight, was marooned in the morning and before the waters began to recede only the hood and tho upper portion were visible. In Coyle Street it was necessary for a milkman to back his float right iip to the house in order to deliver milk. The water reached a considerable height at the foot of Grove Road. Dominion Eoad Affected. The well-known Cabbage Tree Swamp was converted into a large lake, the waters of which lapped the embankment at the roadside. At the corner of beth Street the water reached the backdoor steps of a' house and submerged the dividing fence at the side. The lagoon adjacent" to the Eden Football Club's training shed stretched from Camborne Road to Parrish Road. At the foot of Goring Road another large area was inundated.

At tli6 Dominion Road tram terminus the storm water invaded the shops. The water was higher than it "was at the preceding flood and shopkeepers 1 were occupied for a considerable part of the morning in removing the deposits of silt. Thames Street, in the vifcMity of the Mjjngawhau school, wasflooded and access fS several homes" was difficult." Meola (fceck; adjacent to the 'Mount Albert Grammar School, was in a state of flood and Albertdn -Avenue was. impassable in the early JiqwS ;af ,the. Waning. Sevei'al creeks ; on the JVinstrae Estate m Mount" overflowed/theii' banks. Willing Avenue,' Epsori," VaS'in a halfsubmerged, state and was _under water to a considerable extent-. throughout- yesterday.

Collapse of Chimney. "The- occupants of a. house in Norwich Street, off Eden Terrace, had a startling experience 'when, about- 1.30 a.m., a portion of the chimney fell on to the roof, •with a crash. Several of the bricks fell inside the chimney and crashed through the top of the stove beneath. The low-lying areas in Ellerslie and Bemuera were' affected and some considerable stretches of water were in evidence. Sfe John JLake rose and inundated part of-the surrounding country. Part of the Ellerslie racecourse was under water and the low -ground between Ellerslie and Penrose was covered. A small slip occurred on- the slope of Mount Hobson and part of the spoil was deposited on Bemuera Road. The slip was cleared a-way yesterday morning. . ' .• .« r. • In the Mangere district, part of the Masseyr Park Estate was submerged and stock ware in difficulties owing to .the deep mud. Other low-lying, areas in the direction of Walmsley Road were also affected. Areas, in Grafton. Situated at the foot of the gully .between Grafton Road and the Domain, the Auckland Bowling Club's greens served as a' natural reservoir for Iho water which came swirling- down in torrents. The noise of the rushing waters awakened the caretaker of the greens early in the mornings arid he found the whole of the area resembled a miniature lake. The debris carried down by ' the stream in its rush had . blocked up the drains and it was some time before ' the water began to mote away freely: No damage was don<», but the" tennis: courts at the head of the area were dotted with debris ano two stout posts were deposited in the centre of the upper court. Tha : roller, which was lying by the bowling green overnight, had been moved by the force of the water. The ladies' greens,, which are on a lower level than the remainder of the area, were still under water yesterday afternoon; '

The playing area at the Domain was covered with a.- sheet of water yesterday morning. At. no point was the _ water more than about 6iri." deep and it had drained away before the end of the day was through. The caretaker considers it to have been the worst flooding he has seen.

.Carlaw Park escaped comparatively lightly. Tlicre was evidence in the morn : ing that water had rushed down- the Domain slopes in considerable •quantities. Two goal posts which had been left on the ground were found in the morning about 50yds. further down the field. At Blandford Park a slip occurred on the bank directly opposite the stand and part of the fence was carried away. Damage was done to the galvanised' itbn fence which encloses the ground, two strips, about 15yds. altogether, being levelled. Some native bushes and a small tree .were brought down arid the spoil now lies on the clay bank above the top row of seats. Another minor slip occurred further up Grafton Gully on the eastern side, hut no damage was done.

SLIP AT HERNE BAY.

EXTENSIVE FALL OF EARTH.

r RESIDENCE IN DANGER.

„ 'An extensive landslide on a waterfront property in Rawene Road, Hernc Bay, was caused by heavy rain at an early hour yesterday morning and has left the house, which is owned and occupied by Mr. H, Alden, in a precarious position, only a few feet separating the building from the cliff edge. The property slopes to ; t'he water's edge, and prior to the landslide was conveniently graded, with concrete paths leading to the boatshed at the foot. The boatshed was extensively damaged by the fall, although the launch it housed was Dot harmed. , Mr. Alden stated that before the misiJSP .Comparatively level portion of 'ii£tJr OP ttP tended approximately 25ft.