FLOOD DAMAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1941, Page 4

FLOOD DAMAGE

POSITION IN ALFREDTON DISTRICT TIRAUMEA RIVER 55 FEET ABOVE NORMAL. MANY ROADS STILL BLOCKED. (“Times-Age” Special.) Following the sudden and heavy floods of the weekend, rivers in the Wairarapa receded yesterday, though they are still carrying large quantities of water. In the Alfredton district at one stage the Tiraumea River near the Napier homestead was running to a depth of about 60 feet, which is 55 feet above normal and some 15 feet above the level of the 1936 flood. From Alfredton to “Winiata” homestead, a distance of 11 miles, the Tiraumea River, which runs in a deep bed', had at the height of the flood submerged all the concrete bridges on this stretch of the highway. Later all the bridges emerged safely. Full-grown willow trees on the banks of the stream had debris lodged in their highest branches. Caught up in trees and along fences now far from running water were the bodies 'of sheep. Losses are expected to be heavy. Hillsides throughout the district aVe deeply scarred by slips. K

It is now possible for motor traffic to reach Alfredton from Masterton by the Dryer's Rock road, and it is expected that experienced drivers should be able to reach Alfredton from Eketahuna this evening. The AlfredtonTinui Road is impassable because of the collapse yesterday of Phillips's bridge, about two miles from Alfredton, and other blockages.

Pongaroa is still isolated from the Alfredton-Eketahuna side —and is likely to be for some weeks —but it is hoped to clear a way through to Pongaroa from Pahiatua by this evening. From Alfredton it has been possible to open the road toward Pongaroa as far as “Winiata,'' at which point the washing away of the Waitawhiti bridge 1 stops further progress. From there to Tiraumea post office tracks have been made round numerous slips, but in the next four-mile stretch to the Eketahuna County boundary there are some 40 slips.

Mr H. G. Groves, “Marangai," Mangapakeha, reports the rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, read at 7 a.m., to be: Saturday, 6.73 inches; Sunday, 2.27 inches.

In the Martinborough area the water receded as fast as it rose. Apart from water temporarily blocking the main highways little damage is reported in the Lower Valley. SEVERE LOSSES POSITION IN MANAWATU. MANY FAMILIES HOMELESS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, May 5. The severe hooding in the Palmerston North district on Sunday and today caused considerable stock, crop, and property damage. In many areas the farms have been stripped of all their fences. Hundreds of sheep have been lost by farmers, also many cattle and pigs. Many families are still homeless, but by tonight those who had not previously been evacuated had been rescued with the exception of some who preferred to remain. The situation has eased considerably and there is a general drop in the level of the flood-waters everywhere. The damage will run into many thousands of pounds which will have to be met by local bodies and the individual farmers and householders concerned. Everywhere there has been magnificent public-spiritedness.

HEAVY SILTING IN THE AKITIO DISTRICT. SERIOUS DAMAGE ON WEBER ROAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, This Day. It is still difficult to obtain details of flood damage in the Akitio district as telephones are out of action. The latest reports are that it will cost many thousands of pounds to effect repairs. Landslips have occurred on farms over a widespread area, while there is silting on the flats, somewhat similar to that which occurred in the Esk Valley. in Northern Hawke's Bay, after the flood there in 1938. There is silt up to the tops of the fences where these are standing, but settlers will not suffer the same inconveniences as did those in the Esk Valley. Carcases of dead stock are strewn everywhere. Owing to numerous drop-outs on the road between Weber and Pongaroa. it is estimated that it will take at least six weeks to blast a new road out of the rock face.