FLOOD TOLL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23021, 26 April 1938, Page 10

FLOOD TOLL

HAWKE'S BAY AREAS HOMES ABANDONED ROADS IMPASSABLE ISOLATION OF NAPIER [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] HASTINGS Monday One of the most severe floods in the history of Hawke's Bay has occurred as a result of three days of torrential rain. Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused, thousands of acres of farm land are under several feet of water, families have been forced to abandon their homes in many districts, and losses of stock are believed to be severe.

Roads are blocked by washouts and slips, and two large bridges—the railway bridge and the new concrete bridge on the main road between Napier and Hastings—have buckled before the force of the swollen Tutaekuri River. Tremendous damage to roads, bridgesi, stock and other private property was done in northern Hawke's Bay. The Napier-Wairoa-Gisborne and the Napier-Taupo-Rotorua main highways were blocked with slips earlier in the day. Phenominal Rainfall Throughout the day the southern road to Palmerston North was the onlv main thoroughfare remaining open to traffic, hut late this evening it was reported that the road had been blocked at Papipaki. Napier was entnely isolated this evening. The north road to Gisborne was impassable, while the alternative route through Fernhill was blocked. Telephone communication with outlying districts was cut off and the extent of the flood damage has not yet been ascertained. Communication with Gisborne and Wairoa is cut off. Phenomenal rainfall was recorded m many districts for the 24 hours ending at mid-day to-day. One gauge at Maraekakaho registered 13in. for the 24 hours, and in many other parts 10m. was common.

Waipawa in High Flood The Waipawa River was in high flood this evening, and the approach to the Manawatu bridge near Kopua was washed out, while the long stretch on the road between Tikokino and Waipawa is under several feet of water in places. Farther down toward the sea, the Tukituki River is threatening the Waimarama bridge. Flood waters to-night were rising beyond the levels of the February floods and Waimarama and Elsthorpe residents were cut off bv numerous slips on the roads leading to Havelock North. Sheep Farmer's Heavy Loss One slip on Sunderland's Hill was a chain wide and six feet deep. On tho Ngaruroro River the 1* ernhill bridge was holding fast against the torrent., but communication with Napier was cut off by a washout at the south end. Many acres of farm land to the north of the river at Fernhill wer« inundated to depths of four feet. In one day tho river rose to 14ft. above its normal at the height of the flood. In the Esk Valley, 12 miles from Napier, many acres of pasture are covered with silt. One farmer lost 400 sheep. The main bridge on the NapierWairoa highway was washed out. Many Hastings streets in the south-east quarter of the town were under water.

MAROONED BOYS RESCUE BY POLICE AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY BOAT CARRIED FOR MILES [by telegraph —OWN- correspondent] HASTINGS, Monday After carrying a boat several miles over broken country, a party of police from Napier effected the rescue of 40 boys who were marooned at France House, a children's home about five miles up the Esk Valley. Some anxiety was felt early yesterday morning for tho safety of the boys at France House. No word had been received, and shortly after mid-day to-day a number of constables left Napier with a boat on a motor-lorry. They were able to proceed only a short distance, and when they reached Bay \ iew they found the main road to Taupo was blocked by slips. From then onward they undertook the task of carrying the boat on their shoulders across several miles of slips to the Esk Valley, round the foothills and on to a suitable place for latfnching the boat. When the party arrived at the home they found the children safe. In places the surrounding countryside was buried beneath feet of silt. Suitable arrangements were made for the transport of the children to Napier, should the occasion arise. In the meantime, a close watch is being kept. At 4.30 a.m. yesterday a huge slip fell on to a house in North Road, Napier, and the only occupant, .Mr. William Lee, an elderly man, was pinned to his bed by a fallen beam from the roof. His plight was not discovered until the arrival of the milkman some time later. Mr. Lee was extricated, the ambulance summoned, and when he arrived at the Napier Hospital it was found he had suffered several fractured ribs.

The house was moved 20ft. from its foundations by the slip, and two other houses on the top of the hill were left in very precarious positions.