HEAVY RAIN PUTS HUTT RIVER IN FLOOD

Chronicle (Levin), 25 June 1947, Page 2

HEAVY RAIN PUTS HUTT RIVER IN FLOOD

By Telegraph-Press Association WELLINGTON, June 24. Torrential rain fell in Wellington subur'os and the Hutt Valley overnight. This niorning the Hutt River was flood- , ed into a swirling torrent, cutting for itself new channels and bringing down logs and debris in a continuous proeession. In the upper reaches the oceupants of several liouses in the vicinity of the Moonshine Road had to be rescued. Lower down, just north of the Silverstream Hospital, fJhe road was flooded - to a depth of ovex two feet. At this point at 11.20 a.m. a well filled bus travelling north attempted to make its way through the flood waters, but before reaching the deepest portion came to a standstill, and the driver and passengers were marooned i» the midst of the swirling and apparently still rising water till the department 's rescue plant arrived about noon and pulled them to safety. * • Between 9.30 a.m. yesterday and midday today 97 points of rain fell in the Wellington district. The heaviest fall was between 9.30 a.m. and midday, when 22 points fell. The danger of major flooding in pafts of the Hutt Valley passed this afternoon when the river began to fall. No major damage is reported and the minor damage is not extensive. All roads covered by what are now elear and traflic is normal.