FLOOD AT COROMANDEL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12706, 8 March 1912, Page 5

FLOOD AT COROMANDEL.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, this day. . The damage done by -recent floods to tbe.Cbromandel county roads will amount to about £400. i( Majiy of the'a'pad.s are so covered^. \vattli^idslipa*.that traffic js blocked. ConsiderableTaamage, was done to private property. Many paddocks ai-e covered- ; Tvith**«ilt:nnd7 timber, and many fences have" "been 1 Washed away The creeks have subsided.

A message from Coromandel on Wednesday stated :— The"; 'largest fresh ever experienced m the district is now on. The water m the main creek rose six feet m two hours. Families had to be rescued from their houses l -in the, lower township and conveyed to higher ground. Many houses m this locality have from two to tliree feet of water "inside Furniture is floating round m them. While rescuing Mrs Wilson aiid two children from one of these houses Mr Surflen, carrying one of the children over the garden,- was nearly swept off his feet. Fortunately assistance was 'at hand, and he and tlie child were assisted to safety. At the post office bridge the flood water overflowed the road and submerged Mr V. Comer's shop and the two adjoining shops, over four inches of water covering- all the downstair floors. ■* In the lower end of the town matters were much worse, and rescue parties had a difficulty m getting up on the street. The Royal Mail Hotel and- shops hf this locality sustained severe damage to stock and furniture fcln'ough the rush of water going through them. Horses and cattle have to be rescued from the paddocks, which are covered With water. Should the heavy rain ■ continue throughout tlie day, : and ■with high ''tide this evening, the town will be flooded. Grave fears are expressed as to /the safety of the main bridge connecting the town with shipping and the mines? should heavy rains continue. Land slips are numeroiis •throughout the district. The loss to the Council aiid contractors has been considerable.