TORRENTIAL RAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 8

TORRENTIAL RAIN

FLOODING OF STREETS EARLY MORNING DOWNPOUR HIGH FEBRUARY FALLS To the accompaniment of thunder heavy rain set in over the Waikato laU yesterday afternoon and, increasing in intensity, culminated in a heavy downpour about 4 o’clock this morning, “ver ii, inches of rain fell in the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. to-day with the result that low-lying areas are inundated and many of the town and country roads have been partially flooded. Taxed by the torrential nature of the downpour early this morning, the water channels flooded, causing water to run over many streets in the borough. At day break to-day some of the streets were still partially under water. The Waikato River rose 6 inches over night and it is anticipated that the level will increase during the day. The water is not unduly discoloured and it is thought that the rainfall was not experienced to the same degree further south. February Rainfall During the past 24 hours, 1.62 inches of rainfall was recorded in Hamilton, making the total fall for the first i 6 days of February 6.10 inches which is one of the greatest falls for the month to date recorded in the town. In 1936, when heavy storms swept the district the total fall for tlie month reached the record figures of 9.61. In 1933 the fall for the entire month was 7.02 inches, the second greatest February fall recorded in Hamilton. A record of the rainfall in Hamilton during February for the past seven years is as follows : 1932 2.80 inches 1933 7.02 1934 * 2.79 1935 4.77 1 936. 9.61 1937 1.98 1938 6.10 (to date) The average rainfall for February is 3.10 inches. While Hamilton was drenched by the rain last night Ruakura experienced even a greater fall the gauge reading this morning being 1.95 Inches. Many of the low-lying paddocks of the farm are Inundated. Slips at Glen Massey Two slips on the Glen Massey railway line .early this morning prevented the miners’ train from reaching its destination with the result that the men are not working. The Ngaruawahia-Glen Massey Road is under water for about two or three chains in one section, reaching a depth of four feet. The road was impassable this morning. Heavy rain fell at Te Aroha overnight. but no damage to the roads has yet been reported. The Waihou River is rising, however, and indications are that it will attain greater heights during the day. With the intensity of a tropical j cloudburst, the rain storm swept Mercer last night, and throughout this morning a heavy downpour continued unabated. No flooding ha 9 occurred, however, and both the road 3 and the rail in that district are clear. While the rain storm has caused dislocation to roads in many parts of ihe province, the fall has been welcomed by the primary producers, for it will ensure a favourable autumn growth of pastures. Orchards in the district have suffered during the past few weeks, however, and many tree* have been robbed of fruit. MOTORISTS BLOCKED SLIP ON BOMBAY DENTATION Weakened by the torrential train which drenched the district over night, a portion of the Bombay deviation subsided near the St. Stephen's College, interrupting the large flow of traffic on ihe Great South Road this morning. The slip is of considerable size and motorists are unable to use the road. It was hoped to restore the route for normal traffic late this afternoon. Traffic was able to proceed by using the Razor-back road but this route necessitated the use of a further deviation behind the Drury station for in that vicinity the main road was inundated by two feet of flood water. Automobile Association (Auckland) patrol* on the route have been advising motorists to delay their journeys, unless the trip is urgent, until the deviation slip is cleared.