HEAVY RAINFALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 9

HEAVY RAINFALL

FLOODS IN NELSON DISTRICT. TRAIN SERVICES INTERRUPTED. (Per United L’eess Association.) NELSON/April 30.. A fall of 4.26 inches of rain was recorded in Nelson district in the last 24 hours. The downpour caused the heaviest flood experienced, for many years. Serious damage was done on the banks of the Brooks street stream. Miss Turton, officer in charge of the Tourist Department, being the greatest sufferer, having her garden washed away and her house dangerously undermined. The low-lying areas in the town' were flooded and train services were interrupted this morning by washouts - at Spriugrove. Motor connection was made, and it is anticipated that the normal service will be resumed this afternoon. Mr H, Atmore and party, proceeding to the West Coast yesterday, were blocked on Spooner Range, and when returning to Nelson had a narrow escape. Passing through a flooded creek, the driver missed the submerged side of the bridge, the wheels of one side of the car only taking it, with the result that the car leaned dangerously over and filled with water. The occupants escaped out on the upper side. Everything in the car was soaked with water. Throughout the country districts many smaller bridges and culverts have been washed away. Although no largo bridges in the Waimea County have been washed away by the flood, damage of all descriptions is so widespread that it is anticipated that it will cost several thousand pounds to put the roads in good repair again. In the city the Matai River rose about 10 feet while the Brook Stream in its narrow bed ran about 15 feet above its normal height. Several business premises in the low-lying area were flooded. . the motor services with the exception of that to the West Coast were resumed at mid-day and the train service this afternoon. It is hoped that the West Coast service will be resumed to-morrow.