HEAVY FLOODS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20504, 24 August 1936, Page 6

HEAVY FLOODS

TRAFFIC HELD UP SOME LOSSES OF STOCK By Telegraph - Pres? Association WHANGAREI, August 23 Northland on Saturday experienced the first flood of major dimensions since January. 7?he winter has been remarkably free from heavy rain and some of the normally wettest months have recorded a very small fall. Mild and humid rain set in on Tuesday. Although it was fairly light in Whangarei, Otamatea and other districts were well drenched. On Friday night a cold wind sprang up accompanied by a heavy downpour which continued till Saturday afternoon when it ceased and fears of flooding subsided so far as Whangarei was concerned. Floods at Way by held up the Auckland express which eventually got through, reaching Whangarei two hours late. Floods throughout the north interfered with road traffic, most services being stopped though the interruption was not of long duration. There was three feet of water on the road in the Maungaturoto district. Six inches of rain fell in 24 hours at Kaikohe, and in some places the flood waters were as deep as those recorded last Christmas. There was a torrential downpour on the West Coast area, and the Ruawai flats near Dargaville suffered one of the worst floods for many years, hundreds of acres of pasture being inundated. Several cowsheds were under water and bobby calves found sanctuary on the tops of hay stacks. In the Maungakahia Valley the Pakotai bridge was 17 feet under water. A service car coming south managed to get through just in time. Most of the traffic hold ups were due to a combination of high tides and heavy rain. The rain ceased last night in most parts and with fine weather to-day there was a marked improvement, the flood waters receding as rapidly as they had risen. There were losses of stock in some districts. SUBURBS INUNDATED By Telegraph Prn>« Association AUCKLAND, August 23. The rainfall in the city for the 48 hours ended at mid-night on Saturday was 6.39 in„ 4.14 having fallen since mid-night on Friday. There was minor flooding in the city and suburbs. Heavy rain fell south of Auckland, particularly in the Franklin district, but the flooding was of a minor nature. STREAMS SWOLLEN By Telegraph Press Association GREYMOUTH, August 23. Heavy rain fell along the West Coast over the week-end, 4 inches being recorded here in 48 hours. Many streams are in flood but no damage is reported.