HAVOC AT OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 58, 21 March 1944, Page 5

HAVOC AT OHOPE

SLIPS AND HEAVY DAMAGE LIGHTNING STRIKES 'POLKS The damage on Friday morning at Ohope Beach where the water swept directly from the hills over the brief foreshore and into the Sea was definitely the /worst ever seen at the resort. Slips and washouts were everywhere, the main culvert leading on to the beach approach being lifted bodily and the channel gouged out to a depth of eight feet, blocking all traffic. The open culvert opposite the Cafplafci'tf Cabin Hull, is now a yawning hole 10 feet deep by 20 wide. Major repairs will be necessary to replace it. On the eastern end, the stream crossing the road at Miller's store, became a raging torrent and ate hall" the road'away, and undermined the , shop approach to an amazing extent. All along the beach a?-e to be seen instances of the havoc caused by tlie downpour which from reports appears to even have exceeded the volume recorded in Whakatane. The water, according to one resident, seemed to just pour down the. hills in a great sheet of tumbling waves, sweeping under houses, and pouring in a thousand streams across the sand to the sea. The normal drains and streams were speedily choked and overflowing, and everywhere the Aviitcr cut new channels and undermined property and destroyed gardens, and frontages. Slips occurred all along the cliff face backing the western residential area, many of them serious. Backyards in many instances have been covered with debris, and outhouses have been demolished. There have been many narrow escapes, the closest being experienced by Mr W. Hur.-.t's family. A heavj- .slip occurred which overwhelmed some .'mailer buildings at the rear of the house and piled them near.ly on to the roof. Large boulders narrowl}' missing the residence spread themselves over the hnvn in front. Slips have also travelled down the hillside as far as the houses, and in some instances are piled up against their back walls. Telephone Poles Struck On Friday morning lightning struck sixteen telephone poles, simultaneously, splitting them from top to bottom and causing a half mile gap in the Ohiwa line .to Opoti'ki. The Post and Telegraph Department had a gang of men early on the scene and communication was restored hy Saturday evening. It is learnt that the incident furnishes new evidence as to the remarkable power of lightning in levelling so long a stretch of line. Task of Repairing The County Council is faced with a substantial undertaking in repairing the Ohope roadway and restoring the. culverts and fords. It is estimated that it will be some weeks before normal thoroughfare is passible though temporary crossings are now in the process of being made. .Residents also have in many instances much clearing and reshaping to do before their sections will look anything like they did before the cloud burst.