ANOTHER HEAVY FLOOD

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 66, 21 February 1938, Page 3

ANOTHER HEAVY FLOOD

A COUNTY BRIDGE DAMAGED. MANY SLIPS AND WASHOUTS. A week of very unsettled weather culminated on Friday night in a rainstorm which for many hours showed no signs of letting up and which resulted in a flood almost as serious as that experienced in the early part of the month. Saturday morning, however, broke fine, but the amount of rain which had fallen necessitated the postponement of all outdoor functions. The amount of rain registered by Mr W. H. Rathbone for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on Saturday was 2.58in., but it was much heavier in the country districts. At Waipari, for instance, the registration was 4.76in., and at Pourerere over six inches was recorded. The river rose steadily during Friday night, but there was a welcome fall during Saturday. Numerous slips and wash-outs were reported in the Waipawa and Patangata Counties. The worst were on the Coast road, between Omakere and Pourerere, one being of such dimensions as to completely block the road. One of the Waipawa County bridges, on the Fernhill-Takapau road near Takapau, sustained considerable damage, one of the abutments being carried away. Temporary repairs have been effected and the bridge is now open for traffic. The Mangaonuku was in heavy flood and the driver of the mail car (which had a trailer attached), had a little difficulty in getting through. A report was current that the car had lost all its freight and mails, but happily the report was without foundation. There have been some losses of stock, but owners generally were well prepared for eventualities. At Waipukurau the rainfall for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on Saturday was 2.24 inches, making 10.9 inches for the year so far, nearly half last year’s total. Although there was a heavy flood in the Tuki Tula very little damage was done at Waipukurau, beyond- the temporary flooding of the low-lying sections. A portion of the stop-bank recently erected was carried away, but not sufficient to impair its effectiveness. IN THE HASTINGS DISTRICT. - LOW-LYING COUNTRY SUBMERGED. FRUITGROWERS’ LOSSES. HASTINGS, Last night. A heavy downpour throughout the Hawke’s Bay province was responsible for a recurrence of the. flooding of three weeks ago, though fortunately not on such an extensive or disastrous scale. A considerable area at Pakowhai was again submerged, the water in that district reaching to within six inches of the level of the floods of last month. All rivers rose sharply, a rise of 11 feet being recorder in the Ngaruroro river, while the Tutaekuri and Tuki Tuki rivers reached a height of about 10ft. above normal. The telephone service to Waimarama was dislocated, and the seaside resort of Te Awanga suffered the worst flood in 21) years. In this area at least 12 residences were flooded, the water rising well above the floors, and Lagoon road was submerged to a depth of more than 3ft. Roads suffered extensively, though most of the damage can be repaired quickly.