Worst Floods on Record In Wairoa and District

Chronicle (Levin), 15 May 1948, Page 7

Worst Floods on Record In Wairoa and District

Press Association)

FEARS FOR SAFETY OF TOWN BRIDGE.

(Per

"WAIROA, May 14. Wairoa is experiencing the worst floods 011 record and there are i'ears oi' the possibility of the main traffic bridge lieing seriously clamaged clue to anotlier strueture at Manga ruhehe having carried ai)-ay. The authorities are now closing tlie bridge to all traffic. ■ iSince 110011 the position deteriorated considerably and the waters are now within two feet of the lower portion of' the Marine Parade wliere the main shopping area is centred. Wairoa borough is the only portion Of the district now -witli elec tric power, all supply to eountry .district s being out of aetion. The roads both in and out oi | Wairoa are blocked, and if any- | tliing shonld happe to the bridge i in the centre of the town and the railways beeome blocked then (lis

borne will be completely isolated from the south. Heavy rain still continues and it is reported that already ten inclies have fallen in the Waikaremoana district which sliould great- ; ly assist in increasing the lak level. | The river at Fra'sertoAvn has , risen within 18 inehes of the decking and this repre ;ents a l'ise of between 30 and 40 l'eet above the j norinal level. Huge 1 ogs, trees, dead stoek, ! haystacks and . other deliris are i striking the main town strueture j with resounding crashes and the water, is less than. twelve inehes i from. the (lecking level on tlie top ! side. | At 5 o'elock the waters were t still fising despite the fact that it ' was not far off low tide. The greatest test will come at high tide tonight.