Whakatane’s Close Shave

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 47, 18 May 1948, Page 5

Whakatane’s Close Shave

River’s Threat Serious Last Friday Night

Fears that Whakatane might be one of the victims of the extensive flooding East Coast areas from Gisborne to Opotiki have suffered seemed justified on Friday night, and there was some anxiety, not only amongst business people but amongst residents in areas subject to flooding if the river had backed up. However, the storm broke and the danger passed.

Low tide almost coinfcided with the dusk of Friday evening, and the Whakatane river, running strong, wide and muddy, flickered menace where it reflected the rain-soaked rays of the town’s lights. There were anxious conferences as to what high tide around 11 p.m. might bring.

Actually, a portion of the Heads road was under water for a short time, and there was at one a real danger that the river which surged over the old wharf might rush into the Strand, but Saturday’s dawn told a reassuring story. Bridges out of town remained open throughout the storm.

•The road to .Opotiki was blocked on Friday afternoon at the Waiotahi Bluff, and access to Waimana was cut off when the Waimana river made a barrier acroSs the highway, but the road that far was passable again that night. • First vehicle through from Gisborne arrived at Whakatane on Sunday night, driven by Mr P. Brodie, who was accompanied by Mr T. Warner, both They had had a hair-r£tising drive and said the road was passable, but only if one were desperately keen.-