STORM AND FLOOD

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1925, Page 2

STORM AND FLOOD

Yesterday the elements were on tlicii verv worst behaviour. All day a north uVsterlv gale, with heavy rain was experienced, and as the alterncon vine on it steadily increased in violence. As night wore on the elements became verse, afternoon aud night being one of ihe roughest for a long time. Following the heavy warm downpour tho liver rose rapidly and late last night all the low-lying streets wore under water for some hours, but the streets were clear of water this morning. The river this morning i.s still running a hanker, and a large quantity of heavy limber lias boon coming down, showing the flood ill ol an extensive nature in (be higher country. From the country --i>nics word of floods in all directions, ineluding t l:o Kokaiahi road being again under water. This morning the rain stopped locally though the conditions are still very threatening. So far no information has conic io hand ol any serious flood damage, though it is probable that there will he a considerable amount of injury done. The flood in Ihe river which had dropped a little at low tide started to rise a little before noon hut did not rise as high as it was early this morning. ’ The Hokitika river railway bridge was subject to considerable strain in the centre channel where several large trees have limited broadside on to several of the piers with the result that the water is being dammed hack, and mixing a (cry heavy pressure against t! e structure. When the Ross train .nine across i: entile very slowly, there being a perceptible shake in the bridge at the portion affected. AT GREYMOUTII. Last night a howling north, west gale of very unusual severity was experienced at (Ireyinoiit li. A strong

gale with heavy rain blew unr.iig the day which increased in severity as the evening approach'll ami at night it blew with hurricane force accompanied by a very heavy downpour. It was a warm rain and coni imied incessantly all night \itii extreme force. Pile gale dropped towards morning, and the rain moderated considerably. there being only very light showers. The downpour mlist have been heavy up country also for an old man flood came down the .'rev river, and at 8 o’clock it was running a banker, with a large quantity of drift wood coming down. Between r, and (i a.m. the river rose fl feet and fears were being expressed that at high tide, between noun and 1 p.m.. the town might he inundated. There were six steamers anti a sailer in port, and particular precautions were taken to assure their safely, their mooring being increased and steam kept up with the propellers working to keep the strain oil' the mooring ropes and chains. Tile Railway Department advised at Groyinouth this morning that train coined ion with Reefton was interrupted owing to flood damage at Matai. between Xgahere and Ahaura where there is a washout on the railway line. The train left for Reefton and Otira its usual hilt there was a considerable doubt of either reaching its destination. In, any event it was considered that it would lie necessary to tranship from one train to another on either side of the washout. I here is al-o another largo washout on the Otira line near Rotomanii which is expected to hold up traffic on that line, so that the flood damage promises to be considerable, while the slip at Mnana of a week or so ago has not yet been ail cleared away.

All the creeks and livers from Gfeyinouth to Hokitika were in high flood this morning showing the downpour lias been genera! tlirongliout the district.

Word received at 11 .HO stated that the flood was increasing in Grovmouth and that there were grave fears of an inundation at high tide. It is also reported that a span of the Blackball railway bridge has been carried a wav.