PUHA CLOUDBURST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20123, 18 December 1939, Page 4

PUHA CLOUDBURST

RAINFALL OF 4.541 N. STREAMS RISE HIGH PLIGHT OF FARMERS (Special to the Herald.) TE KARAKA, this day. There was a miniature cloudburst at Puha and parts of the Te Karaka district on Saturday night, 4.54 in. of rain falling in seven hours. Water rose high over the decks of low-level bridges, causing a temporary blockage to traffic on the Gisborne-Opotiki main highway. Farmers suffered from the downpour. It was learned to-day that heavy rain had 'been experienced in most parts of the district, but that the full force of the storm was apparently centred about Puha. Rain set in at 6.30 p.m. and the skies did not start to brighten until 1.30 a.m. on Sunday. It was the heaviest rainfall for 24 hours registered since February 13, 1932, when 6.95 in. was recorded. The creeks a mile or two north of Te Karaka and near the residences of Messrs. Brown and Peach were higher than for many years and provided an effective barrier to traffic. The Whatatutu bus did not reach its destination until 3 a.m. on Sunday, the usual time of arrival from town being midnight. A car driven by Miss Josephine Scott, Puha, was affected by water when crossing one of the low-level bridges and she and her passengers had the unenviable experience of having to get out into the flood waters and abandon the car. Finally the vehicle was hauled on to dry ground. Soon after the cessation of the rain the level of the water dropped and left the bridges clear. Home Vacated Afraid for the safety of his home, on the bank of one of the affected streams, Mr. C. H. Norris vacated the premises. While going out to see if she could assist her husband to shift stock on the property, Mrs. Norris had a fortunate escape. She did not realise that the water had risen so high, and tripped and fell into the stream while moving about in the dark. She had the luck to fall near some wire-netting and was able to pull herself back safely. Just as the flood waters were lapping the door-step of the house, the level started to drop.

On his property adjoining the Lome estate, Mr. Richard Graham had a trying experience and lost many of his fences and his firewood. Water was lft. deep throughout his home, the highest level it had reached for many years as far as could be remembered.

The Waipaoa River rose only four or five feet.