FLOOD DAMAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1925, Page 1

FLOOD DAMAGE

INTERRUPTION TO TRAFFIC. GREYAIOUTH, Fob. 21. The heavy rains which have Keen falling intermittently for some (lays past have caused a. number of landslips in various purls of the district. During Sunday night and yesterday some exceptionally heavy showers fell. Travellers by motor-car between Westport and Reefton had to turn back from Tnangalnia Junction. Several slips have also occurred, and workmen were yesterday engaged in clearing these. A slip occurred on the Blackhall-Roa road, just beyond the railway station, completely blocking the railway line. The train from Reefton yesterday was delayed three hours, and did not arrive in Greymoulh until twenty minutes past two. 'Phis was due to the railway line at Alatai being under water for about half a mile in length. I he Alatai creek overflowed, submerging the line, hut little damage has been done, and the water is now subsiding. The Blackball train was despatched us a relief. Passengers by tlie train state that much of llie country between here and Reefton is under water, and some of the roads arc in very had condition. All the creeks and rivers are very much swollen, and much ol the low-lying land lias been flooded.

A landslide has also occurred on the Omoto road and the laud on the northern side of the racecourse is completely under water. In some parts of the district there is a deptli ol over twelve feet of water on the ground. The Grey River has risen considerably since Saturday night, and it is likely that shipping movements will he considerably hampered. Heavy floods are reported from Txotukn. The river is rapidly rising and the water is coming over the road. (JR FY RIVER RISKS HIGH.

Rain continued to fall in heavy intermittent showers during last night, Tlie river rose with extraordinary rapidity during the earlier part of the evening. and at 10 o’clock last night, was within a few feet of the wharf. Ihe river was running at the rale ol 9 knots ; i fair indication ot_the rate at which the flood waters are pouring down Special precautions are being taken with regard to shipping- Extra mooriiiif ropes have Keen brought into requisition, and’ the three vessels now in port arc keeping up steam as an nilditional precaution against tne strung current. , , , . . ~ Shortly after seven o’clock last night several more slips occurred on the Grev-mouth-AVcstpnrt Road, another lug slip occurring near the junction.