FLOODS, SLIPS BLOCK ROADS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 14

FLOODS, SLIPS BLOCK ROADS

Rain Damage In Nth. Canterbury

Heavy rain caused the Waitohi river to break its banks in the Medbury area on Saturday morning and at least one house was flooded to a depth of about two feet. Some roads were blocked by scouring and slips while bridges in the area were closed for a period. One slip on the Lake Sumner road has been cleared and the road is expected to be re-opened today when repairs are made at a badly scoured creek near the Seaward bridge. Both the Edwards and Broxton bridges on the Waipara river were damaged and will need repairs as soon as river conditions allow. The approach to the Medbury bridge was covered by more than two feet of water and although cars were unable to get through, mail and other essentials were taken through by truck. No damage was reported to the Hurunui bridge on the road to Culverden, but equipment being used for the erection of a new bridge had to be removed from the river. The washout of two poles in the North Canterbury Electric Power Board’s area caused minor inconvenience wi'h the undermining of a pole in the Kowhai river cutting off the supply to one consumer on a branch line. At the Waipara river, a pumping station supply was also cut. On Friday evening a blocked guttering on the Rangiora Town Hall caused water to overflow into the public library. No serious damage was done to the books. The situation was rectified immediately by council staff who cleared the guttering in pouring rain.