DRENCHING RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25505, 8 April 1944, Page 4

DRENCHING RAIN

HEAVIEST FALL FOR YEARS EASTER HOLIDAYS MARRED MINOR FLOODING AND DAMAGE The heavy and persistent rain which set in late on Wednesday night and has since continued with little abatement completely ruined -the Easter holidays for thousands of people. All sporting activities had to be abandoned yesterday, and the city streets, deserted except for those whose business compelled them to be abroad, presented a dismal appearance. Though the rain is mainly coastal, it seems to have extended inland for some distance, and the plight of the numerous camping parlies that set out for nearby resorts must have been unenviable in the extreme.

It is a long time since the district has experienced so steady a downpour of thick, soaking ram. Indeed, the rainfall recorded on Thursday was one of the heaviest for many years. Damage to Dwelling

A good deal of damage has already been reported within the city area. A five-roomed dwelling owned by Constable J. Hamilton, of Mornington, and situated in Allen street, North-East Valley, was reported yesterday to be in danger of total destruction as the result of the foundations being, undermined by the swirling waters from Lindsay’s Creek, which had become blocked by a fallen tree. Late in the afternoon the chimney, which was in the middle of the house, crashed, and it is feared that the house will become a total wreck if the rain continues.

Several properties on the flat in the vicinity of Logan Park and also in Anderson’s Bay were under water last night. A slip in the Botanic Gardens, near Leith street, completely blocked a path and destroyed several trees and shrubs.

The Leith became a raging torrent on Thursday, and there was a good deal of apprehension concerning the possibility of it overflowing its banks, but the measures taken in recent years to cope with such conditions as have prevailed during the past two days again demonstrated their value. The city engineer (Mr S. G. Scoular) said last night that he was confident that unless something phenomenal happened there was no likelihood of any flooding being experienced. Rainfall Records

The rainfall recorded in the 24-hour period between 8 a.m. on Thursday and 8 a.m. yesterday was the highest since 1929. The following recordings for the 24 hours taken at the City Corporation’s gauges have been reported: At Ross Creek, 4.30 inches; Whare Flat, 4.10; Sullivan’s Dam, 4.74; Roslyn, 4.24; and Musselburgh, 3.10. These figures emphasise the heavy nature of the rain on Thursday. Fortunately there was a considerable slackening off during the next 12 hours, although at Roslyn 1.11 inches was recorded and at Sullivan’s Dam just under 1 inch. Up till 8 o’clock last night the totals were as follows: Ross Creek, 6.32 inches Whare Flat, 5.51 inches; Sullivan’s Dam, 6.45 inches; Roslyn, 6.42 inches; and Musselburgh, 4.84 inches. It is interesting to compare these figures with those recorded for March 19 and 20, 1929, when 11.52 inches of rain were recorded at Ross Creek, 9.98 inches at Whare Flat, 9.85 inches at Sullivan’s Dam. 5.40 inches at Maori Hill, and 4.58 inches at Musselburgh. The rain caused the cancellation of all sports fixtures, and upset holiday arrangements generally. There were few people about the city streets yesterday, and the City Corporation’s transport services experienced one of the slackest days for many years. It was thought early that the special bus trips to Whare Flat and the Peninsula would have to be cancelled because of the lack of patrons, but the officials were astonished to find that there were full bus loads. Shoppers Inconvenienced

Shoppers on Thursday had an unenviable time. Thousands were compelled to visit the city in order .to purchase provisions to tide them over the holiday period. Most of the butchers’ shops were congested throughout the day, and customers who waited until later in the day in expectation that the rain would ease off were compelled to wait for long periods. Taxi-cabs were in constant demand from early morning until late at night. One company reported that it had 50 cars on the road, and the demands were such that it could probably have made good use of as many. more. According to reports received by the secretary of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr P. F. Harre, there is a considerable amount of surface water on most roads in the surrounding districts, and motorists are advised to take special care, particularly at night. The Main North road was impassable at Maheno yesterday morning owing to flood water, and motorists had to make a detour via Kakanui. Late yesterday afternoon, however, cars were getting through. A slip occurred on the Kilmog, and the area concerned has been marked with danger signs, which will be lighted at night. One-way traffic only, is possible past the slip. The Palmerston-Ranfurly highway was blocked near Dunback on Thursday night. Late yesterday afternoon the Pigroot Creek was running hign and the road was still impassable. The Merton-Karitane road was impassable yesterday morning owing to flood waters, which, however, receded late in the afternoon.

Flood Waters on the Taieri

For a period yesterday the indications were that at Milton and Henley the Main South road would be flooded, but the danger passed. There is heavy flooding on the Mosgiel-Outram road in the vicinity of the Outram bridge, and the road was not negotiable yesterday. An effort is being made by the Taieri County Council to drain part of the flood waters, but it is not expected that the road will be clear until a late hour to-day. In the meantime, Outram can be reached via Allanton. The detour from Duke’s highway to Wingatui has been made impassable owing to the bridge being swept away. All low-lying land in and around Mosgiel is under water. At a late hour last night, however, no damage had been reported. The Milton-Lawrence road to Central Otago is clear. The river at Waitahuna was running high yesterday, but the volume of water had decreased slightly last night.