FLOOD HAVOC

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24826, 24 February 1944, Page 4

FLOOD HAVOC

WHAKATANE ISOLATED SEVERE STOCK LOSSES WIDE AREAS UNDER WATER (0.C.) WHAKATANE, Wednesday The township of Whakatane has been isolated bv flood waters since this morning and severe stock losses already have been suffered in a large -rea of the Rangitaiki Plains, extending from Edgeeumbe to Taneatua, in the worst flooding since 1925. Light rain was still falling in Whakatane to-night, and any further heavy rain will result in much more damage. During the last two days Galatea, the source of the Rangitaiki River, has had one of the heaviest rainfalls on record. Heavy, consistent rnin fell from yesterday morning until this evening, when it slackened. Flooding on Rangitaiki Plains Severe flooding has occurred on the Rangitaiki Plains. Owing to the rapidity in the rise of the water, farmers were unable to save their stock and many valuable herds have been depleted. On one Taneatua farm 15 head of pedigree cattle were last seen with only their heads above water. Judging by the number of carcases of cattle, sheep and pigs which have been swept through Whakatane, losses have been particularly heavy. The townshfp is cut off by road from both Rotorua and Gishorne. No mails have been received to-day and it has been impossible to carry out rural deliveries. The road through the plains at Edgecumbe is threatened and at a late hour to-night flood waters were lapping the top of the stop banks. Paper Mills Threatened

The Whakatane River lias overflowed its banks and many acres of farm and swamp lands are several feet under water. The Taneatua highway is unusable. The main access road from Rotorua into the township of Whakatane was about six feet under water to-day. -Minor flooding of shops and business premises occurred at mid-day, but most of the water later drained away. At high tide this evening the water encroached on to the Strand. The water is still level with the wharves, which are normally about five feet above the level of the river, even at spring tide. Situated on the banks of the river, the Whakatane Paper Mills are threatened by the flood waters. So far it has been possible to carry out full operations, both on day and night shifts, but the river would not need to rise much further before the works would be flooded. It has been impossible to transport the employees to the mill by road and they have been ferried across the river. This has been a risky business. as the river is running fast and. is filled with logs and carcases of stock. The harbour at Whakatane presents a dismal scene and the sea is discoloured for several miles from the harbour entrance.