BRIDGE SMASHED

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 7

BRIDGE SMASHED

MAIN ROAD BLOCKED TONGAHOE VALLEY HAVOC SOUTH TARANAKI STORM PHENOMENAL FLOODING STREAMS’ SUDDEN RISE All road communication south of Hawera ceased yesterday morning about 11.30, when the Tangahoe bridge on the main road about five miles South of Hawera was carried away by the force of water and debris above it as the result of the rapid flooding of the Tangahoe River. Fortunately the bridge across the same stream Oh the Ohangai Road Withstood the strain imposed upon it, though at the height of the flood it was covered to a depth of several feet. The Washing away Of parts of the toad in the vicinity prevented any traffic going across until later in the afternoon, when *a number of cars got through with difficulty and presented a mud-stained appearance on Arrival at Hawera. One driver stated io a Daily News reporter that it was easier to drive north than south, but it is understood that sfeveral cars travelling South went Out to the bridge yesterday afternoon and were asisted over the difficult portions on a temporary road formed over the hill on the south side of the bridge. The same motorist,, who arrived at' Hawera late in the afternoon, stated that the ManaWapou Hill was passable. The vicinity of the bridge showed very definite evidences of the ravages of the flood, but the water had receded io well below the level of the bridge decking and nvas also below the level of the road surface. Those who were fortunate enough to witness the flood at its height at the bridge on the South Road and Who saw the bridge carried away had an experience that they will not soon forget. The clerk of thfe Hawora Cdunty Council (Mr. j. W. Harding) was one of those. When ho arrived at the scene all he could see above the flood water was the top rails of the bridge. They on the scene watched it swaying about until the force behind it caused it to rise up among the swirling debris and float away downstream. RAPIDLY SWELLING RIVER. Cars which left Hawera in the morning were able to proceed south without difficulty, as also were. cars travelling north. The water was above normal at 9 a.m., but was still below the levfel Of the bridge at 9.30 a.m. Less than tWo hours later the water was six feet above the level of the bridge decking. The bridge was bn that portion of the road which will be disused when the tieW deviation, including a new high-level bridge, is completed. The old bridge had given very many years of USefuliifeSS, though past floods took their toll, and had been strengthened recently.. The efforts of Mr. F. Muggeridge, engineer to the Eltham County Council and acting engineer to. the Hawera should make the route via Ohangai and Mbkoia usable to-day. Many people from Hawera yesterday visited the bridges on the Main South and Ohangai Roads, and were astounded at the height the flood waters rfefechfed.At 6 o’clock last evening the rriain rbad was strewn with mud for over 100 yards north, of where the bridge was, and the wall at the end of the bridge was jUst visible above the swirling waters. Two other bridges in South Taranaki suffered the same fate as the Tangahoe bridge. The Tangahoe Valley bridge and a large portion of the road at the. approaches wore washed away,. and the Ngawhine Gorge bridge fet Arardta suffered the same fate. The Mangemange bridge on the road to Ararata from Hawera was badly twisted, but is regarded as safe if care is taken. The bridge on the Noonan Road to Whakamara was slightly affected but has been made temporarily safe. There was no damage in the Waverley and Pafefe districts, though thfe rain Was very heavy. The Patfea River was in heavy flood ahd much debris had come down, but the bridges were not endangered. No damage Was done at thfe South Taranaki Power Board’s station at Nbrmanby, though there was more water than usual going over the dam. A resident of Tokabra stated that he Had never seen more water in the Waingbhgorb River than it carried yesterday. There was no damage at the Norfnanby Dairy Company’s factory. Many a motorist commented with feeling upon the excellent service rendered by the South Taranaki Automobile Association in assisting drivers ahd restoring communications. POWER HOUSE DAMAGED DELUGE AT DAWSON FALLS RAPID RISE OF STREAM What was evidently a. tremendous cloudburst in the Kapuni Valley catised damage to the recently erected powerhouse at Dawson Falks. Between 6 and 6.30 a.m., when those at the hostel heard a tremendous roar, the stream rose nine feet, tearing in the back wall Of the power-house and washing over the floor. The flood disappeared as suddenly as it had risen, leaving a.foot or more of silt over the floor. Little damage was done to the engines, but the house required a considerable amount of cleaning. Immediately on receipt of a ruindur that the power-house had been carried away (a rumour causing consternation among alpine enthusiasts at Hawera), Messrs. W. G. Walkley and L. O. Hodkief went by car to Dawson Falls. According to them the sudden rise could only have been caused by a cloud burst. An amazing amount ■of rain was recorded at Dawson’s in the 24 hours preceding 9 a.m. yesterday, 19 inches falling. During the night the downpour was awe-inspiring.