WAIRARAPA STORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 8

WAIRARAPA STORM

MANY RIVERS FLOODED 1 HEAVY FALL OF SNOW KOADS UNDER WATER SERIOUS STOCK LOSSES FARMERS TAKEN UNAWARES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Sunday With swollen rivers, flooded roads and snow still falling heavily this evening, Masterton and the Wairarapa are in the grip of possibly the worst, storm for 20 years. Extensive flooding is reported, and ifc is thought that mortality among stock will be heavy. It began to snow at Masterton at five o'clock this afternoon, and fully two inches had fallen by this evening. The electric light failed for three-quarters of an hour, and the telephone system was disorganised. The Waiohine River broke its banks and covered a section of the main highway between Carterton and Greytown to a depth of 2ft., making ifc practically impassable. Service cars got through, but smaller vehicles were held up. . .. Waist-deep in Water The most severe flooding for several winters is reported from the Te Ore Ore district, where the Ruamahunga River has risen and covered the Masterton-Tainui-East Coast road to a depth of over 2ft. A number of cars bad to be towed out, and at least one was abandoned, tha driver and bis wife wading waist-deep and following the fence-line to safety. The low; country in the district is under water. At Eketahuna there was a severe gale on Saturday night, and some small buildings were overturned. The Makakaki River rose 14ft. and all the low country is submerged. At Nireaha the wind did much damage to farm buildings. A number of trees were uprooted. The water found its way into the telephone exchange afc Eketahuna and the service is disorganised. Rivers Break Banks Both the Tauherenikau and Ruamahunga Rivers broke their banks, tha former covering the road near Featherston to a depth of 18 inches or two.feet.-" Severe wash-outs occurred this evening in the railway embankment afc Fernside, near the Fernside Bridge, and ifc will be necessary to tranship all passengers tomorrow. The railway bridge itself is understood to be in danger. Eight inches of snow had fallen lata to-nighfc on the Rimutakas and this, coupled with a number of slips," has made the road impassable for any but the most venturesome drivers. Settlers in the lower valley who always suffer severely, expecting heavy, losses. The floods gave them little warning and the majority were Unable to muster .their stock. One statioil owner said this evening thafc the flood was the most sudden he had ever known. Flood Descends Like Wall. "The water just in a wall,". he said. Half his stock was still on tha river bank and at least 200 sheep, and lambs would be lost. Large numbers of newly-born lambs have been drowned. The severity of the weather is causing heavy mortality among the ewes. At Kahutara the position is particularly serious, and will more so to-morrow, when the full effects of the heavy rain in the North Wairarapa and bush districts is felfc. The big stop-bank was not equal to- the force of the water, which broka through at five o'clock this afternoon. Tha position is said to be critical, especially as the outlet of Lake Wairarapa is closed and the flood water is banking up in tbe lake. Featherston Houses Invaded , A number of houses afc Featherston have been flooded all day through Crass Creek assuming the proportions of a river. Six inches of snow have fallen there this evening. The rainfall afc Greytown also has been very heavy, and Morrison's Bush and the Matarawa districts are all under water. Water has also entered a number of farmhouses afc Tawaka. Heavy rain caused a rise in the Hutfc River, which is across the road at Silverstream Bridge and in the. Taita Gorge. The Manor Park golf course is under water. No losses have been reported in this district.