HOKITIKA FLOODED BY SURFACE WATER FROM TERRACE AREA

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1948, Page 2

HOKITIKA FLOODED BY SURFACE WATER FROM TERRACE AREA

Nearly three inches of rain (2.92 inches) fell at Hokitika in 24 hours on Sunday and Monday., • On Sunday night gutters in the main streets, in the lower lying part of the town, were like creeks, but the river did not rise greatly. It was low tide between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. yesterday during the heaviest town flooding. However the bank of sand at the river mouth was washed away. Water from the higher ground north of the town filled the drains and flooded Bealey, Sewell, Fitzherbert and Hampden Streets. The water made itself a channel into Hampden Street through the properties of Messrs Hurren and J. Breeze, .eroding gravel from the footpaths and roadways in Hampden and Fitzherbert Streets as on previous occasions. At the foot of the hill where the road to the aerodrome runs a house was invaded by water, also houses in Bealey and Fitzherbert Streets. A timely warning was given by Mr T. Lee, who noted" the discharge of water from the terrace area. Rain continued yesterday intermittently until 2 p.m., while the town remained partially flooded. Sewell Street had a flood depth of fifteen inches, also the tennis court there. Water surrounded the Catholic Church and schools, while the Church of England reserve area, and adjacent tennis court were covered. Fowlhouses were inundated and many fov/ls were drowned. It is anticipated that the erosion and deposits of silt due to the flooding will afford the Borough Council workmen a real job.