FLOODS IN THE NORTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 8

FLOODS IN THE NORTH

A TREMENDOUS DOWNPOUR DISORGANISATION OF TRAFFIC (Special to Daily Times.) * AUCKLAND, June 19. Five inches of rain have fallen at Kaitaia since early on Monday morning, and this morning all the low-lying land in the northern districts was under water, the rivers having overflowed their banks during the night. .. Mr D. Josephs and his family, who live close to the Kaitaia Lake, were hooded out, and had to take to the roof of their house. They were rescued this morning by boat. From all parts of the Far North reports are coming in of roads blocked by slips or obstructed by wash-outs. Motor traffic is held up over a large area, either by floods or blocked roads. No loss of life or stock has been reported, but considerable damage has been caused to farm properties and roads. The full extent will not be ascertained until the water recedes. •

Early this morning flood water was running through the main streets of Kaitaia, but as the business premises are raised above the road the water did not enter them. It rose to within three inches of the floor. In some cases gardens in the lower areas of the town were flooded. The relief workers’ camp on Crown lands in a swamp area was surrounded by water, but the camp remained dry. , All roads leading to the- south are blocked by water, and no mail or cars have been able to leave Kaitaia. The mail to the railhead and all local mails are held up. Cars attempted to go out this morning. but were able to proceed only two miles before the road became impassable. Flood waters from the Kumeu River swept rapidly over the low-lying lands in the Waimauku district this afternoon, and five or six dairy cattle were washed away while their owner wa a driving the rest of the herd to safety. The water rose to about six feet over Derry bridge. Two bridges on a farm' in the Muriwai district were swept away, while a bridge on the Waimauku-Muriwai road was reported to be six feet under water. On some farms in the Muriwai area cattle were isolated by the rising water and the farmers were not able to milk them. The rain stopped early this evening and the water at Muriwai was receding. At Waimauku, however, it was believed to be still rising. . This is the most severe flood in the district for eight, years, the rapidity with which it spread being attributed to the fact that the Kumeu River was cleared out about a year ago, allowing the water to flow faster and in greater volume to meet the full tide which occurred about 3 p.m. to-day. STEADY RAIN IN CITY NORTHERN ROADS FLOODED. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 19. Steady rain, driven in sheets by a gusty north-east gale, set in last night, and continues unabated. The fall up to 9 o’clock this morning was only 1.53 in, but measured in discomfort and inconvenience of the people it was much greater. Little damage is so far reported about the city, but the Automobile Association says that many highways, particularly in the north, are being seriously affected. Traffic is almost completely suspended on most of the routes north of Wbangarei. The Helensville road is flooded and is impassable, with the water still rising at noon. The main northern highw'ay is blocked at Dairy Flat, but a detour is being used. The bridge at Maungaturoto is reported to be under water.

HEAVY RAIN IN NELSON

RIVERS IN FLOOD

(Per United Press Association.)

NELSON, June 19. Heavy rains caused the rivers to flood in various districts. No serious damage is reported. TORRENTIAL RAIN SERIOUS FLOODING REPORTED SUPS AND WASHOUTS (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 19. i A heavy north-east gale raged from an early hour this morning with torrential rain. North Auckland experienced the full force of the storm which caused serious flooding in many areas. The seag in the harbour were very high and the ferry boats were severely buffeted. The Wanganella, which was due from Sydney at 7 o’clock, did not arrive until 1 o’clock owing to the thick weather. The unloading of the cargo was delayed by the rain and the Wanganella is not expected’ to sail for Sydney until 2 o’clock to-morrow morning, , Slips and washouts disclocated. railway communication with places north of Swanson. The most serious trouble was a large slip in the early afternoon at the northern end of the Waitakere tunnel where about 409 cubic yards of material came down, covering the line for two chains to a depth of from six feet to eight feet. The clearing of the debris was put in hand as quickly as possible, and a work train was sent from Auckland, but owing to the extent of the slip it is not expected that the line will be clear until late to-morrow.

The express which left Auckland foi Whangarei at 8.40 became “marooned” with its 70 passengers near Kanohi, about two miles north of Kaukapakapa. On jt» journey north the express encountered no trouble until it was held up by the flood waters, which covered the line at Waybv to a depth of over three feet.- It was then decided to return to Auckland, but when Kanohi was reached it was found that a washout over a length of 22 chains had occurred. There was no alternative but to remain there until temporary re pairs could be effected. As soon as the plight of the express was learned arrangements were made from the Auckland train running office to convey food to the marooned passengers. This was sent from Kan* kapakapa by lorry and then by pack horse over the flooded portion. Temporary repairs were subsequently effected to the’ washout, and the express was able to proceed south to Helehsville. which was' reached shortly after 8.30. Many of the passengers went to local hotels to spend the night, and the remainder were made comfortable in the carriages of the train and in the railway station. It will not be known until morning whether the passengers will, be taken north, or. brought back to-Auckland. The passengers on the down express were warned at Whangarei. that they could be taken onlv as far as Wells’ford. and from that point* many of them travelled by motor truck to the northern end of the slip in Dome Valley. They had to walk through mud over the slip to the southern end, from which point they were brought to Auckland by service cars. All the main roads to the north ot Auckland are impassable owing to the flooding. The Main North road was completely blocked late this morning by a large slip in Dome Valley. NORTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT HEAVIEST FLOOD SINCE 1914 BIG AREA INUNDATED (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, June . 19. The heaviest flood since 1914 was experienced at .Whangarei to-day, the whole of the low-lying portion of the town being under water, and many houses being completely surrounded. Throughout last night a gale raged, accompanied by heavy rain, and this morning between 7 and 9 o’clock the rain fell in a deluge. The creeks and rivers everywhere are flooded. From mid-day yesterday to this evening

over three inches of rain fell in the Whangarei township. The Waiarohia Stream, which runs through the lower portion of the town, has risen from 10 to 12 feet, and has spread in an alarming manner to the adjoining areas. The overflow is running like a creek through Central avenue, and is entering dressing rooms and sheds in the park. The recently-erected foot bridge across the street at Cafler’s avenue has been damaged, and is in danger of being swept away. The Plunk6t Rest Rooms in Cafler’s Park were also partly under water. The Whangarei Co-opera-tive Dairy Company’s Factory in Railway road is surrounded by water, which entered the main building. Half a dozen houses close by had water several inches deep inside, and the occupants commenced removing their furniture this afternoon. From one house the children were rescued by a taxi-cab. The Railway road, running from Walton street to the dairyfactory, is under water for eight chains to a depth of several feet. In numerous instances fowlhouses and garages were flooded. Motor cars are being removed with considerable difficulty. At least six inches of water invaded the business premises of Marshall and Son, H. F. Robbins. H. Paris, W. Wakelin, and Slade Clark in Water street. In the Kiripnka area, about_ 10 miles from Whangarei, the post office is isolated by water, and all road traffic is held up. Water eight feet deep is across the road for half a mile, and fences running parallel are completely submerged. _ At Whakapara the water this evening was five feet deep between the store and the bridge for about 10 chains. This is the most severe flood in this area for many years. . At Hukerenui old residents state that the flood is the worst for 40 years. On the Hukerenui-Tapuhi road the water is six feet deep, and on the TowaiHukerenui road, recently constructed, the filling, which was considered to be above flood level, is now at least three feet under water. The whole of Ilukeremu Flats are under water as far as the eye can see. in some places to a depth of 10 feet, and the water is still rising. All the Hikuranei Swamp drainage area is under water for some miles, and all roads in that locality are submerged. The Mangakahii) River has overflowed its banks, and tbe road at Parakao is under water to tbe extent of five feet. Pond eommunicnt'on with the north is therefore, comrfletelv blocked. Tn the Wninn area the flats are well under water. No losses of stock are re-oo'-ted. The rain had ceased this evening, and it appeared that the weather would be fine.