FLOOD AFTERMATH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 74, 22 May 1945, Page 5

FLOOD AFTERMATH

WATERS SUBSIDE-RAPIDLY

DAMA C K COMPAR A'J'IV KLY

SLIGHT

With the flood waters receded to a great extent it is hardi to believe that so much inconvenience and disruption was caused. Fortunately the Tarawera and Rangitaiki although running bank held, thus averting flooding in the centre of the Plains* and what might have beeni a major catastrophe. All the flooding occurred; through the Whakatane River breaking its banks between Taneatua and where many hundreds of acres were and the road rendered impassible*

At Awakeri the water after in--9 J "vading the low-lying areas swung in a northerly direction and found its way back to the river by way of the main drains. The Kopcopeo Drain, on the Thornton Road once again presented a major problem to the settlers when at high tide the bank•ed up waters were actually the cause of aggravating the position.

At Poroporo on Saturday night, the main sweep of the llood traversed a new direction and swept in a solid mass in the early hours of the morning across the intersection of the Rotorua and Tauranga main highways. At this point, the road was for about three miles varying in depth from two to four feet.

The Poroporo store was once again invaded, but quick measures adopted by the occupants .saved most of :the stock. The store shows the water mark to be 18 inches high almost reaching the level of the worst flood last year.

At the Whakatane River Bridge i both approaches were under water to four. feet in larger vehicles and trucks being the only ones able to cross. At a late hour on Saturday night, Road Services trucks were ferrying passengers .across from a waiting bus on the other side.

Damage was also done to the Te Rahou bridge between Poroporo and JLuxton's corner. Here, the approaches were washed away cutting off all traffic. It will be necessary to fill in all approaches and strengthen the structure before it will be lit for use again. Most of the damage to fenccs was caused by the swift current of the water which quickly- piled debris .«nd logs against the obstructions and in many instances flattened them. . Throughout the week-end, - the Tauranga highway was covered with water to a depth from 18 inches to two feet which was however, insufficient to hold up traffic. This morning reports indicate that there is still a large area of surface water to be drained. The result of the flood may have a serious bearing upon production in. the areas affected. In many Instances the victims are the same ones who were visited twice last year and a repetition of the inundations has had disastrous effect upon the pastures. One farmer last Saturday informed a Beacon representative that the possibility of picking up again in the spring as far as he was concerned was extremely remote } as the grass on his land was just recovering and re-establishing itself following previous visitations. The third experience, lie would result in a very serious position for himself and many of his neighbours.