A HEAVY FLOOD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1924, Page 2

A HEAVY FLOOD.

The heavy rain that set in yesterday increased in violence as the day wore on and the afternoon and night was one of the roughest for years. There was a heavy nonvester blowing also which added to the discomfort. The. rain continued unabated till near daylight, when the weather cleared and this morning was fine. As a result of the rain there was one of the heaviest Hoods of the year. The river was running a hanker, the water coming down with extreme violence, and of the color of pea soup. Tile whole of the low-lying parts of the town were under water at S o’clock, Hie streets being regular lakes. The river began to fall rapidly and then the water drained off the street*.

The rainfall for the 24 hours up to 0 a.m. to-dav was •!! inches.

The downpour caused the Westland Pacing Club last night to postpone the meeting set down for to-day, until to-morrow (Thursday).

There was a very heavy flood in South Westland repoffpid yesterday and last night’s rain would lie sure to enlarge the flood there. FLOOD DAMAGE. Iteports of damage by the flood are coming to hand. It is stated that the Waimea Creek, near Goldshcmuigli has cut into the approaches to the Waimea Creek bridge, as far ns the wheel ruts. Repairs are being effected. On the Kokatahi road some culverts have been damaged and at Koitornngi a culvert in course of repairs was washed out. A slip is reported on Lake Knnicri road, and Overseer Milliter has gone out to investigate. It is reported that there is a slip on the Otira Gorge road that will stop traffic-, and arrangements are being made to take motor ears through the tunnel hv means of electric traction . The flood locally was at its height about 4 o’clock this morning when the low-lying streets were one sheet of water. A blocked drain at the corner of Weld and Tailored Streets caused the water to lie there till nearly noon.