STORM ON WEST COAST

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1926, Page 9

STORM ON WEST COAST

PHENOMENAL RAINFALL RIVERS OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS. COMMUNICATIONS INTERRUPTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Greymouth, Nov. 1. Following upon the bad weather all along the West Coast last week, the streams on Saturday became flooded and yesterday saw volumes of water in the Buller, Grey, Teremakau, Arahura and other southern rivers. Th. Buller River rose so high that more than one bridge is reported to be seriously damaged. Westport last evening was telegraphically isolated. The Grey River rose so high between eight and nine o’clock that the firebell wag tolled as a warning of the danger of an overflow. The rainfall has been exceptional up country, and later reporta are expected to reveal considerable damage. The rainfall at Greymoutb for the last 48 hours was two inches and to-day there are heavy showers. The river is falling steadily. A 10-knot current is running and heavy seas make the bar unworkable. It is impossible to get either telegraphic or telephonic communication with Westport in consequence of the effect of the flood, which the prolonged heavy rain had caused in the Buller River. Last evening the Greymouth telegraphic authorities learned of the conditions by aid of wireless. The steamer Kaiwarra, from Westport, communicated to Awarua (Southland) wireless station the following news: “All the lines are down in the Buller Gorge. The River is heavily in flood, bridges have been washed away; it is still raining heavily.” Two bridges damaged at the Westpu. side of the Inangahua junction were not indicated in the wireless message from Westport, but the Greymouth telegraph office, maintaining telephonic communication with Reefton, learned that the road and railway bridge between Cronadun and Rotokohu at Larry’s Creek had been damaged and two spans washed away. The bridge is about six miles away from Reefton. Telegraph linesmen reported four feet of water upon the road in that locality. There is a serious wash-out between Cronadun and Rotokohu. All the lines between Reefton and Rotokohu are down. The department is sending out gangs to effect repairs this morning. A 10.30 a.m. report stated that the wires were still down. A wireless from Westport stated that there were big slips in the Buller Gorge and that Murchison Road traffic was blocked. Reefton, Last Night. A thunderstorm and heavy rain yesterday caused a record flood in the Inangahua River and considerable damage was done. Two piers of the Larry s Creek bridge were swept away, as well as a northern span and about 70 yards of railway southern approach. Communication between Nelson and Westport is unlikely for several days. DAMAGE IN DANNEVIRKE. ROOFS TORN OFF BUILDINGS. Dannevirke, Nov. 1. A westerly hurricane prevailed In southern Hawke’s Bay on Sunday night, conditions being very similar to those on that disastrous Labour Day in October, 1917, when a big fire occurred. Much minor damage to fences, sheds, and windows is reported, while gardens have been bashed and battered. The showgrounds of the Dannevirke A. and P. Association seem to have been jjie centre of the cyclonic frolics, for here the-roof of the spacious grandstand was completely lifted off and deposited practically intact at the back of the building. The walls of the structure ’’ weie not damaged. An iron shed near the stand was demolished, and at the hospital sheets of iron were blown off the roof of the women's ward. Help had to be summoned to batten down what was left, while tiles were also stripped off the new portion of the building. Women patients in the outbuildings and shelters had to be removed, the main building being in danger from a chimney which threatened to collapse. Log fires at Tataramoa and Matamau were fanned by the gale and made travelling by road hazardous and difficult, owing to the driving clouds of smoke. GALES AND RAIN IN~WELLINGTON. Wellington, Nov. 1. October went out as it came in, like winter instead of spring. There was a heavy fall oi rain on Saturday morning, followed by a lull, then rain and bitter squalls. Yesterday the scow Echo, 99 tone, while beating up the harbour, had her mainmast carried away, and had to ba towed in. Plateglass windows were smashed m one or two cases in the city streets. To-day is fine and sunny.