FLOOD HAVOC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 14

FLOOD HAVOC

NEW PLYMOUTH INUNDATED WALL OF WATER SWEEPS STREETS TRAIL OF DEVASTATION MANY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES (Pee United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 22. Torrential rain broke - the long drought yesterday, and drenched Taranaki, particularly the northern portion of the province, causing flooding responsible for extensive damage in both the towns and the country districts. In the 24 hours ended at 7.30 this morning, when the rain eased off, 7.29 inches were recorded at New Plymouth, where a downpour was experienced all night, leaving in its wake a trail of damage in the shopping and, low-lying residential areas. Railway, road, and train services are all disorganised, and the New Plymouth and Wellington express was unable to leave this morning owing to the line two miles from the station being unsafe. The express started from Hawera, connection being made by bus via Opunake. Slips and wrecked bridges are reported from various places. TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR The steady fall of rain throughout yesterday afternoon at New Plymouth developed at 11 p.m. into a torrential downpour that continued unabated till 1 a.m. After a short respite the downpour intensified, and at 2 a.m. the streets and many shops were flooded, when'the HuaToki River and the Mangatuku Stream, which both flow under the town, were flooded to an unprecedented extent. Basements quickly filled, and the stock in shops was soon floating in the streets. It is estimated that the losses of stock to retailers will run into thousands of pounds, while damage was ■ also done to buildings. Four feet of water swept through the Devon and Brougham streets intersection, when the doors and windows of buildings on the south side of Devon street burst with the weight of the banked-up water. In one depression water upwards of 30 feet deep lodged before it found an outlet. The sound of the flooded river roaring and' crashing beneath the buildings was alarming. Devon street presented a remarkable spectacle immediately after the sudden rise, with the yellow tide rushing seaward in the night. Investigators waded waist deep in places. Portion of a library of valuable legal text books was saved by the timely arrival of the solicitor. GIRLS RESCUED FROM HOTEL When doors facing east opened, solid walls of water six feet high burst into the street. The Royal Hotel was flooded out, and four girls were rescued, suffering from shock. The girls’ cries were heard by the rescuers, who found them in a terrified condition in a bedroom at the rear of the hotel. The water was more than thigh deep, and they were afraid that they had been trapped by the raging water. •

They were carried upstairs to a place of safety. Most of their personal effects were ruined by water, but a certain amount was saved. ALARMING EXPERIENCE Dr E. F. Fookes and a taxi driver, Sir Harvey Johnson, had an alarming experience shortly after midnight, when returning to New Plymouth from a call to .the country. The car was about to cross the Waiongona Stream bridge, eight miles from New Plymouth, when the approach collapsed and the car was flung bodily into the stream, which' was racing high in flood. The large car fell sideways and was almost completely submerged, trapping the occupants. The driver managed to open the side door, which was facing upwards, and he scrambled out and then assisted Dr Fookes, whose escape from drowning was fortunate. Both suffered shock, but were able to reach a farmhouse and call a second car from town. Dr Fookes was still dazed this morning and the driver is suffering from scr&tchsSa * Though the rain ceased at 7.30 this morning and the flood-water level in New Plymouth streets fell, this was only temporary, as the tide started to rise, banking up the river, and a fresh menace had to be faced by shopkeepers. Goods in some eases were hastily removed by motor lorry, and a rowing .boat was also requisitioned. A large crowd watched the water creeping up Currie lane and threatening further buildings. At Cambrian the engineering company’s foundry and machinery were under water early this morning, and the flood also invaded the Taranaki Brewery Company’s buildings, the barrels floating about in deep water. HOUSES HASTILY VACATED

The occupants of eight houses on the banks of the Mangatuku Stream had to leave hastily at 4 o’clock this morning when awakened by water invading their homes. The borough inspector earlier Warned one family, who took their belongings to safety, but neglected to pass on the warning to their neighbours. The screaming of women was the first alarm. The occupants had.no time to take their possessions, but fled to higher ground. The water is over fences, which it tore up, and rose in the houses to three feet, leaving behind a thick deposit of mud. The only articles which escaped were those that were hurriedly placed on tables and wardrobes before the residents departed. A clay slip in Devon street west blocked the road for 20 yards, and affected the telephone wires. BUSINESS PREMISES FLOODED HEAVY STOCK LOSSES ESTIMATED AT £SOOO (Per United Press Association) . NEW PLYMOUTH, February 22. The retailers this morning estimated their stock losses at £SOOO, but it is impossible to calculate the structural damage. The Huatoki River was at full flood at high tide just after midday and a thick, muddy stream bearing debris seeped through 10 business premises including four drapers and clothiers, one hotel, a bank basement, two tobacconists, one chemist, a fancy goods store, and a bakery. The stock of Messrs Divine and Co., wine and spirit merchants, was completely under water and from Messrs Hooker’s bond store casks of beer were washed away seawards. It is expected to find them on the beach.

The river flooded into the main street where traffic was unable to pass and business in many shops was disorganised, though one enterprising firm immediately started a flood sale, selling goods over the water instead of the counter. The sun came out during the morning, and while portion of the town was still inundated the temperature was high. Many shop assistants had to dispense with shoes and stockings this morning, while youthful figures in bathing costumes swam in the deeper parts. The flood is considered to be the worst in the history of New Plymouth.

THE FLOODS SUBSIDING ROAD TRANSPORT RESTORED (Per United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 22. Little rain has fallen in Taranaki since early this morning, and the floods everywhere are subsiding. Road communication all the way from New Plymouth to Wellington and north to Auckland has been restored over temporary bridges, but the traffic over the Waitara main bridge is permitted only on travellers signing an indemnity. The Stratford railway is still closed by slips, and the main line to Wellington is broken by a washout - in Central Taranaki. It is impossible to hazard an estimate of the damage until a close inspection has been made of the bridges and the foundations of the buildings affected. The loss of stock is not heavy because in all parts of the province the distances to high ground are not great. It will be high tide at New Plymouth about midnight, but it is not anticipated that further serious flooding will occur. A remarkable effect of the flood at Okatd was the joining of two rivers, Stony and Kaihihi, which flowed towards the sea in some places not many chains apart. They are now flowing in one bed, and it is problematical whether they will resume their separate courses. The dairy factory at Okato suffered severe damage, and the swimming baths were partially washed away. SHOPKEEPERS LOSE HEAVILY DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £20.000 (Per United Press Association) • NEW PLYMOUTH, February 22. Estimates of losses of stock in the shops in the central portion of New Plymouth to date total £17,000, but in many cases no estimate has been attempted. It seems probable that the total losses of stocks may considerably exceed £20,000. A rough estimate of the damage in the Inglewood County suggests a loss of £IO,OOO. ■ RIVERS IN FLOOD PHENOMENAL RAINFALL (Per United Press Association) HAWERA. February 22. All southern road communication with South Taranaki has been wiped out as a result of the flooding of the Tangahoe River, which washed away the bridge on the South road about five miles from Hawera shortly before noon to-day. Access through the only other route, via Ohangai, is impossible, as the water covers the bridge on the Ohangai road to a depth of several feet. Another bridge in South Taranaki collapsed this morning, the structure over the Mungumungu falling. The torrential rain last night was responsible for widespread flooding, and at Hawera nearly six inches .were recorded for the 24 hoii’-o ended at 9 a.m. At Dawson Falls, Mount Egmont, the fall was 19 inches for the same period. All rivers in the district are at record high level, but communication south of Hawei’a is possible by train. The Wellington express was not able to leave New Plymouth this morning on account of the damage on the line about Inglewood. Four buses were chartered from New Plymouth, and these proceeded with express passengers via the Coast road around. Mount Egmont. The line south of Hawera is clear, and early in the afternoon buses connected with a' train which left Hawera. Little, damage is reported in the town. TRAFFIC HELD UP ROADS AND BRIDGES DAMAGED MANY SETTLERS ISOLATED (Per United Press Association) STRATFORD, February 22. Road and rail transport in Taranaki to-day is compietely paralysed by the heavy flood water which failed to escape through the natural channels following a deluge of tropical intensity which fell continuously for many hours until shortly after 8 o’clock this morning. Damaged bridges and flooded roads completely disorganised the main highways, motor, services and private traffic, and the flooded railway track field up all trains, ■ include ing . the New Plymouth-Wellington express. A train comprising a full complement of carriages -was made up at Stratford at 9.30 and despatched to Waipuku. The mail train had been unable to leave New Plymouth, so that Stratford was made the terminus. The emergency express left two hours late. The line between New Plymouth and Stratford was washed out in many places, leaving the rails suspended, the ballast having been washed away. On the Stratford main trunk line to Taumarunui there are innumerable slips which it is expected will not be cleared for two or three days. The Auckland-New Plymouth night express was forced to take the old route, via MartOn, and it is expected that it will be 12 hours late.

The main highway between Stratford and Inglewood was washed away at Waipuku. The flood waters scoured out the road under the tar sealing, leaving only a thin crust on top likely to fall through at any time. Many cars were stranded on the road between the damaged sections and held up all right. The damage to the country is severe and many settlers are isolated by slips and washouts, but telephone communication has not been interrupted. Mails, however, have been greatly disorganised. THE ROTORUA DISTRICT A THOROUGH DRENCHING (Per United Press Association) ROTORUA, February 22. An inch and a-half of rain had fallen in Rotorua for the eight hours ended at 5 o’clock to-day, and the whole district received a thorough drenching. This will be of decided benefit to pastures, although the pumice country has withstood tne drought conditions very well, and the miik yield on the development blocks has been well maintained. The heavy ram was responsible for the flooding of, portion of the road between Rotorua and Wairakei, and although the service cars were able to negotiate the route considerable care was required. Beyond Taupo the road to Turangi and National Park is reported to be flooded and impassable in several places. WANGANUI RIVER FLOODS ROAD TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED (Per United Press Association) WANGANUI, February 22. The only road seriously blocked at present is the Wanganui River road, -where the' mail bus was unable to get through. Passengers from Pipiriki this morning were brought down by boat, and the mails will be sent up to-morrow. At Parapara road traffic is held up owing to the river being over the road six feet deep at the 21-mile peg. On the other roads minor slips are reported, but are insufficient to cause a blockage. The Wanganui River is in high flood.

SOME NARROW ESCAPES THREE MEN RESCUED BY BOAT (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, February 22. Some narrow escapes are reported in the floods in the districts near Whangarei. On Mr T. N. Blake’s property Messrs S. Alison, J. Rika, and E. M’Gaveu were hurriedly driving 150 dairy cows off a flat so as to milk them safely on the high land. However, they wiere caught by the flood waters from the overflowing Ma-

hgakahia River, and within a few minutes cows and men were swimming. The latter made for a hay shed, where they climbed to the roof.. A neighbouring settler, Mr G. O. Dysart, obtained a rowing boat and rowed across the paddocks and rescued the three men. The cows swam to higher land, but even so the water this evening was nearly up to the animals’ backs. Water entered Mr E, M'Gaven’a house on Mr Blake’s property to a depth of two feet, and all the furniture is being moved. Only roof of Mr G. O. Dysart’a cowshed invisible, while water entered a house (ffned by Mr T. Box on a nearby property. Five valuable draught horses owned by Mr J. Maddox were swept down the Mangakahia River. One of them managed to gain higher ground, but the other four disappeared down the river. The whole district is one sheet of water, all the fences being completely submerged. W. Morris, of Whangarei, the North Auckland swimming champion, was to have competed this evening in a swimming carnival against R. Frankham and other Aucklanders, but he is stranded at Kaikbhe. Three lorrv drivers employed by Mr J. Ace, of Whangarei, were returning to Whangarei thjs morning. They arrived at a flooded creek which flows into the Mangakahia River. The leading lorry successfully negotiated the bridge, but as the second lorry was crossing, the bridge partly collapsed, and the lorry was precipitated into the swollen creek. ihe water has risen seven feet above the road to-night, and lorry and bridge are completely submerged. The ram has ceased this evening.

MANAWATU DISTRICT HIGHLY BENEFICIAL DELUGE (Peis United Press Association) PALMERSTON N., February 22. With a rainfall of 3.8 inches since 10 o’clock on Wednesday night and the downpour still continuing to-day with little indication of an early cessation, the drought has definitely broken. So parched is the countryside that the heavy ram has nob caused any flooding. The Manawatu River has risen only 4ft. RAIN IN HAWKE’S BAY ; COUNTRYSIDE WELL SOAKED (Per United Press Association) NAPIER, February 22. Beneficial rains fell in Napier and Hastings and throughout the surrounding districts yesterday afternoon and night. After easing off this morning it came on again early this afternoon and rained steadily, but eased off again in the late afternoon. The rivers showed no effect as a result t of the rain, which is giving the countryside a good soaking. RAIN IN FAR NORTH ROAD TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED (Per United Press Association) . WHANGAREI, February 22. Heavy rain during the last 36 hours has caused considerable flooding, which has stopped road traffic in several places, especially in the far north. For the 24 hours ended at 10 o’clock this morning 2.10 inches of rain fell at Kaikohe and 2.16 at Kaitaia. The rain is still falling. The railway services have not been interfered with.