MAJOR FLOOD AVERTED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 6

MAJOR FLOOD AVERTED

RAIN CEASES IN TIME HAWKE'S BAY IM'NDATK >X (IVr I'ri-sa /W-.i-iiilici i HASTINGS, this day. The cessation of genera) rain in the back country basins of the Ngaruroro and Tutackuri Rivers this morning, removed the danger of a second major Hood in the Hastings-Napier district within 10 days. The rain continued throughout Hie night in most districts and early this morning peak rise in the rivers was reached, with the flooding by the Ngaruroro River of Raupare, East Ctivc and Mahora districts, and at VVhakatu and Karamu.

When the rain stopped, the Mood ievels of the rivers fell rapidly, and although rains have resulted in many slips and a. certain amount of flooding, the damage in no way approximates that caused by the rain during Anzac week-end.

The waters from the Ngaruroro River came through a 10-chain scour above- Pakowhai caused in the last floods. It backed up around Raupare and Mahora, and in the former district several residents were forced to leave their homes during the small hours of the mornng as the water was within a foot of last week's level. At Whakalu the water was across the railway line which was impassable. The dip at Karamu bridge was also impassable, a detour through Havelock being necessary to reach Clive or Haumoana.

The rain has now ceased 'and the ,un is shining intermittently.