LAST NIGHT’S STORM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16379, 12 March 1924, Page 6

LAST NIGHT’S STORM.

DAMAGE AT THE HOSPITAL

A fair amount of damage was done at Cook Hospital, the water coming through tho root in several places. Early this morning the large plate-glass front of the operating theatre was blown in, the debris being scattered all over Hie theatre. Temporary repairs are being effected to-dav, but the accident will not impair Hie- efficiency of the institution, as there is a smaller operating theatre which can he- used in eases of emergency.

WAIT* AO A RIVER IN HALF FLOOD

Some anxiety lias naturu.ly been expressed respecting the condition of tho Waipaoai river, but the latest information. received at 3 o’clock, stated that the. river was only running in half-fresh. The Waipaoa- had been rising steadily nil day, but at 3 o’clock appeared to have steadied. It had risen about Bft. at Waerenga-a-hika, and no danger was anticipated. A good deal of drill-wood has passed down. The Waimata. river, which was running in half-fresh this mormiig. remained nt this level all morning. The Taruheru river was also banked up higher than usual, and entered the Poverty Bay Rowing Club’s shed. WAIROA RIVER RISES OVER , WHARF. 4 THE TOWN ISOLATED. Early this afternoon the breaks in the telephone and telegraph lines between Gisborne' and Wairoa were repaired and communication was re-estabiished, although the information from Hie Hawke’s Bay town is to the effect, that they have no other communication from the outside world than that now obtained with Gisborne. At about 2 o'clock Air. Eric Upton, of the Duco Motor Service, received advice from Wairoa that the town had suffered severely as a result of the storm, and that the roads beyond there were absolutely impassable, one bridge being down and n concrete crossing badly damaged. In the town itself much damage had been sustained, and many business premises were closed. Later telephonic advice from Wairoa was to the effect that although the telegraph linesmen had succeeded in effecting repairs on the Gisborne side nothing had been heard of the efforts at tho oilier end, and it was believed possible that communication with Napier might i not ho restored for some days. “VS nits a is completely isolated from,the rest of the-world,” it was stated, “and we don’t- know when we' will be able to get communication re-established.”

Throughout the district, it was stated, there had been exceptionally heavy rain, seven inches being recorded in Wairoa itself, where the rain commenced shortly after 7 o’clock last evening. It is said to be impossible to obtain any idea of the damage between Wairoa, and Napier, although it is believed to be serious as far as traffic and communication are; concerned. The Esk Valley is reported to have suffered severely, and Petane is said to be flooded. The Motoliora bridge in a deep gorge on the main road has been washed away, even the approaches on either side being carried down with the flood. At Whakaki, about ten miles on tbe north side of Wairoa, there has been a very heavy slip, and this, it is stated, will take days to remove. In Wairoa itself a number 6f shop windows were blown in, many premises were flooded, and throughout the town fences and trees have been blown down. Water channels have been unable to carry away the water, -which, as a. result, has flooded (lie shops. The river is exceptionally high, and this morning was over the town wharf, and within eight- feet of the 1 bridge decking. With the falling lido the flood subsided somewhat, but it is expected to reach its maximum with the full tide to-night. At 3.3 D p.m. it was reported that it was stid raining heavily and gave no signs of abating. All efforts, it is.stated, arc being made to restore telephonic communication with Napier, but so far without much success. Linesmen from the' Napier end had been reported to- be caught in the flood at Petane, and even if they were able to get beyond there is was thought that they would he blocked further along the road, where there were numerous slips, and unknown damage tg bridgos. Linesmen had been sent out from the Wairoa end, hut nothing had since been hoard of them, and it was not known whether they had succeeded in locating any of the Taults. It is believed that there are numerous breaks in the lines, and that considerable difficulty will bo experienced in repairing them.

The latest advice this afternoon stated that the sea conditions in the bay hud improved somewhat. A large gang of men are at present engaged l on hue re-constnictioii of the Napier-Wa-iroa telegraph line, and this should ensure communication being restored at the earliest possible opportunity. The tact, however, that the wires, a-ra still down indicates the severe' nature of the storm and its consequences.

The Moliaka post-office is reported to have been Hooded out.

A SEVERE EXPERIENCE.

RIVERS IN HTGH FLOOD

LOSS UF STOCK FEARED

(Per Press Association.) WAIROA, this day

Olio of the severest thunderstorms ever experienced swept over Wairoa district yesterday and reached its greatest intensity last night. Vivid flashes of iightning, accompanied by deafening thunder claps and torrential rain, were experienced the whole night. The heavy deluge- of rain continues and shows no sign of abatement. The rivers and creeks, are in high flood, and all the low-lying country is under water. Loss of stock and damage to roads are feared. Trees were uprooted and fences blown down. The Wairoa river is in high flood and rapidly rising. Already it is over the smaller wharves and part of the town wharf. Enormous quantities of trees, logs, posts and firewood are coming down, and several rowing boats have been washed out to sea. Much damage was done to gardens and orchards. The Gisborne, Napier and Waikarenioana, roads are blocked by slips and telegraphic communication lias been cut off. Up to 9 a.m. to-dav inches of rain fell. CONDITIONS STILL BAD. (Special lo the Herald.) WAIROA, this afternoon. Weather conditions hero are as bad as ever this afternoon. It is still raining heavily, and blowing a gale. The rainfall up till mid-day totalled 71 inches.' The storm broke over Napier a day ahead of Wairoa, and the had weather is still coming from that direction. ! There have been no cars through from j Napier for the past two days, i The Government engineer lias left for i Nuliaka and Wnikokopu to make an inspect,ium of the damage. Part of tho Wairoa township is under water and residents are having to leave i their homes. } There is no communication with Lake Waikaremouna. Siips are down all along the road. The power service was interrupted by a blow-out aI, the! Wairoa. sub-station yesterday. Current was off for half an hour but was then restored and the service is now uninterrupted. There was a tremendous flood running in the Wairoa river to-day.