TOWN ISOLATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 10

TOWN ISOLATED

GISBORNE'S EXPERIENCE

RUSH OF FLOOD WATERS BRIDGES WASHED AWAY HEAViY LOSSES OF STOCK [by telegraph —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Saturday One of the most serious and widespread floods in the recent history of Poverty Bay occurred early this morning, the rivers in all parts of the district rising rapidly as the result of torrential rain overnight, and to-day Gisborne awakened to find itself completely cut off by road in every direction.

Bridges have been washed away and slips have fallen 011 all the highways. In sonic cases the damage will take days, and even weeks, to repair, but it is expected that the main outlets will be reopened in a day or two. The chief anxiety was that the Waipaoa River would overflow and invade the Poverty Bay flats, but this was averted by the cessation of the rain and the receding of the tide. Nevertheless, heavy damage was done to crops and fences, and losses of stock are reported to be considerable. Several people had narrow escapes. The difficulties were accentuated by the absence of communications, road transport being impossible for more than a few miles from Gisborne in any direction, and telephone communication being disrupted. Stock Swept Away An indication of the completeness of Gisborne's isolation is given by the fact that, although the nearest centre, the town was probably the last place in the Dominion to hear of the tragedy at the Kopuawhara camp. The first brief message was not received until ecirly this afternoon. It came from Napier, by way of Wellington and Auckland. For the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. today Bin. of rain fell in Gisborne. In some parts of the district the fall was heavier. Fortunately, the rain ceased early in the morning and, except for isolated heavy showers, the weather remained fine during the day, enabling much of the flood water to get away.

Throughout last night and early this morning farmers on lands liable to flooding were removing their stock to higher ground, and losses of stock on the fiats were thus minimised, but watchers along the banks witnessed the passage of a large number of carcases of sheep and cattle swept into the river at Te Karaka. Maoris' Crops Ruined The depth gauge on the Kanakanaia Bridge showed the Waipaoa River to be 18ft. deep at 5 a.m. to-day. At 7 a.m. it had reached the peak of 19ft. Gin. At that time the water had overflowed the road and entered the railway tunnel near Te Karaka, the morning train being held up. There was J Oft. of water over the level of Kemp's Bridge, about four miles from Te Karaka, on the main north highway. Manutuke, eight miles south of Gisborne, was free from flood waters at 6 a.m., but an hour or two later, when the Waipaoa overflowed through Mr. Murphy's property near the township, the locality was one large sheet of water. The bouses were isolated, and the kumara and maize crops of the Maoris on the lower terraces were ruined. This will be serious for the Maoris, who depend on their crops for winter food. At 10.;30 a.m. most of the land between Manutuke and the sea, on one bank, and the Willows settlement and the sea, on the other bank, was under water. All the higher ground was occupied by stock isolated by the flood. Sea of Mud and Debris Behind Muriwai, 17 miles south of Gisborne, a cloudburst occurred in the hills, filling all the streams to overflowing. The Wairakaia River overflowed its banks and deposited from Ift. to 2ft. of silt over many acres of land. The scene was an amazing one this morning Fences had gone without leaving a trace, trees were uprooted, and everywhere in the Wairakaia Vallev was a sea of mud and debris.

The principal damage in this area was the destruction of three bridges. The concrete structure over the Wairakaia Stream had disappeared completely, and t\yo other wooden bridges between Muriwai and Kopua also were swept away.

The occupant of a house near the concrete bridge estimated that the structure collapsed shortly after 4 a.m. At 6 o'clock the water nearly entered his house, which is about 251't. above the normal level of the stream. The house of Mr. A. I*. Figg, a quarter of a mile from the bridge site, was flooded to a depth of lit. and had to be hurriedly evacuated. Fury of the Flood Many losses of stock are reported m this area Cattle and sheep wore trapped in low-lying paddocks, and dogs tied up on the lower levels also were drowned. Sonic managed to break away and sought safety on higher ground. A valuable stallion owned by Mr. BlumsUi was carried away by the flood, but struggled to safety at the mouth of the stream. The main Gisborne-Napier highway beyond Muriwai post oflico is a sea of silt and small timber debris, and communication to the south is completely <• 11L off. The evidence of the fury of the Hood in that part is most striking, siltcovered paddocks extending as far as the eye can see toward the beach. In Gisbornc itself, the Waimata River resembled a mill race this morning, with rushing water swirling high over the banks of the lower reaches. The rise in the river above high water mark was estimated at Bft., the highest lor many years. Residents living near the river were awakened by the roar of the waters, and lawns by the riverside were covered with water and heavy timber brought down by the torrent. Jetties were swept away, pleasure boats were broken from their moorings, and flood waters surrounded the Trafalgar Rotunda on Read's Quay. ROADS AGAIN OPEN AUCKLAND PROVINCE ROUTES

Advice that all roads in the province, except that at Matata, in the Bay of Plenty, were now open was received by the Automobile Association (Auckland) yesterday. Bv using tho inland route through Tiniroto the road services between Gisborne and Wairoa were being maintained.