SEVERE WEATHER

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19596, 7 June 1935, Page 6

SEVERE WEATHER

FLOODS RECEDING.

HAWKE’S BAY AREAS.

MAIN ROAD RE-OPENED,

WOMEN AND CHILDREN MOVED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Friday. With the cessation of the rain last night’, the threatening flood danger of yesterday in the Napier and Hastings districts has passed and rivers are now falling rapidly. Late yesterday afternoon the backcountry districts experienced a lessening downpour in the afternoon, while the more coastal areas received the same benefit during the night. The Napier-Hastings main road, which was closed yesterday afternoon and last night on account of the flood water, was re-op.ened for traffic during this morning, but the Napier-Wairoa Road is still closed on account of slips, which are expected to be cleared this afternoon. Seaside Town Inundated. Haumoana, a small seaside township about eight miles from Hastings, suffered severely during the night on account of the Tukituki River unexpectedly overflowing its small banks and Invading the houses in the low-lying areas. ■ About midnight it became necessary to remove all the women and. children from the affected places. In doing so the rescuers had to as deep as their armpits to accomplish their work. No losses of stock have been reported owing to the settlers having taken precautions before the situation became serious. Damage Not Considerable. Extensive areas are still affected with 'surface water, but it is understood that the damage done as a result of the flooding will not be at all considerable as the rivers have not broken their hanks to any great extent. ■ The water lying about is largely backed-up water which carries little silt and has not any force behind it to wash out fences or scour pastures.

DAMAGE IN POVERTY BAY.

SUBSIDENCES AND SLIPS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. Heavy rain fell in Poverty Bay today and did much damage to roads. On the Coast Road from Tokomaru Bay northward a portion near Te Puia subsided and traffic was held up for some hours, but it is expected to be resumed to-day. The most serious inconvenience was caused by damage to the road south to Napier. A .slip occurred in Mataiioura Gorge, near Waikare, and for a time cars used the viaduct erected for the railway. Later a big slip occurred on Hie Wairoa side of Mohaka and the road was impassable, service trips being cancelled. No mails fronn the south for Gisborne left Napier to-night. Mails from Gisborne which usually go over the South Road were sent north, via Opotiki and Taneatua. Advice to-night was to the effect that the Waipaoa River, between Gisborne and Te lCaraka, was lift, above normal, and heavy rain ws still falling leading to the possibility of floods.

MORE HEAVY RAIN.

RIVER IN HIGH FLOOD. SOUTHERN 'HIGHWAY BLOCKED. (By Telegraph.—Pre«s Association.) WAIHOA, Friday. Heavy rain has again been experienced during the last two days, the total being 4-28 inches. The river is in high Hood. The southern highway to Napier is blocked. The slips will probably be cleared to-day. The highway to Gisborne is open to traffic.

FLOODS SUBSIDING. NAPIER DANGER PAST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Friday. The weather has cleared and the rivers are receding. Little damage lias been done. Tiie new Tutaekuri diversion works operated most satisfactorily. All the main highways are expected lo be open by midday.