BACK COUNTRY AREAS BORE BRUNT OF THE STORM ON MONDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 June 1948, Page 4

BACK COUNTRY AREAS BORE BRUNT OF THE STORM ON MONDAY

Although only .7 of an inch of rain was experienced it. Wanganui during ; the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday, the fall was in so short a time that in many areas *hains and small streams were unao.e to cope with the rush of water and flooding of a minor nature occuued. The back-country districts, however, experienced heavier rain and slips and washouts have been repoited in many areas. The Wangaehu Valley Road was inundated in several areas after a fall of more than three inches of rain was recorded at Mangamahu. At one point yesterday theie was more than six feet of water covering the road, but the water had begun to recede during the afternoon. In the lower reaches of the Wangaehu River the waters were bank high and flooding occurred whefl high tide took place at 4 o’clock. Streams and drains in the Mangamahu, Turakina’ana Wangaehu areas were unable to cope with the heavy volume of flodd water and many acres of farm land were flooded. The rise in the level of the Wangaehu River was one of the quickest ever known by old setters of the district. The Wanganui-Raetihi main highway was blocked yesterday by slips near Kakatahi. The bus from Ohakune and Raetihi was unable to get tnreugh and two witnesses for the Supreme Court were unable to be present because of the saps. The Wanganui River Road, which has been closed to traffic since the last spell of bad weather, has been blocked by further slips. The bus from Pipiriki got through as far as Jerusalem yesterdav morning. Telegraph and power lines throughout the district were damaged by the high wind whicn accompanied the rain. Telephone communication with the upper Parapara area was cut off yesterday. Power fuses were blown in some parts of the district and minor blackouts were experienced A power line in Gonville Avenue was brought down by the wind and was lying along the side of the roadway yesterday morning. Fences and wireless aerials also suffered froir the effects of the wind and loose iron and boards on sheds were blown off. The Hunterville district experienced heavy rain and flooding occurred in the township during yesterday morning. In spite of the flooding in the backcountry districts reports of stock losses are negligible. Most farmers removed stock to higher country when the rapidity of the rise of the Wangaehu River was noticed.