FLOOD DAMAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1930, Page 5

FLOOD DAMAGE

FOLLOWING HEAVY RAIN. The weather which was wet all day yesterday, made a change for the worse as night drew on, and there was a heavy downpour all night, steady rain falling for hours. It was a fairly warm downpour and has apparently melted the snow in the mountains. inis morning there is a considerable flood in the river, which was augmented by the spring tide.

There was a washout at the Waimen creek bridge ,at Stafford an approach being damaged; and stopping traffic for the time. There was a lot of water in the low-iving ground in Sewell street the drains ■ being unable to carry the water away diving to the flood in tiie river backing up. The rainfall recorded at Hokitika for the 24 hours ended 9 o’clock this morning was 3.33 inches. The rain ceased before mid-day. The flood in the river was not of a very substantial nature, only the spring tide helped to back up the waters to some extent, but the waters fell as the tide went out, though there was a considerable run. RAILWAY DAMAGE. The morning train from Hokitika to GreyfnoUth did not leave the station, owing to there, being a small washout heal 1 Kaihiuu,” and a larger one at Flowery Creek, near the Stafford roan crossing. ■; ' " '•'• ■ After the train had got ready it was cancelled and the , passengers, luggage and mails- were sent out by a fleet of Newmans Motors Ltd. cars, which were utilised for the. purpose. They ran to Stafford crossing and . the passengers etc. were transferred.to the Grey train and the incoming passengers and mails were transhipped to the cars and brought on to Hokitika arriving about. 11 o’clock.

The Railway Department report that the Otira line was clear this morning, no damage at all being reported, so apparently ! there could not have been such heavy rain experienced in that locality.

jThe washout at. Flowery Creek bridge is 'V[ considerable extent, but at: noon thq 'flood waters had .jjiot fallen sufficiently to enable,the actual damage to be‘properly guagecl. ,There wqs another washout at a creek crossing about half a mile nearer Awatuna, but .this was not of a serious nature.

i At 1 p.m. there was nothing to report’:by the’Stotioninaster. It was hoped: that the'train Svould be leaving in the afternoon sit' the usual hour.

r: - ! - ? THE HEAVY R.AJNS

(By TelcjgEaph—Per Press Association.)

GREYMOUTH, Oct. 7

. The nigjiit rains caused several iflips and washouts throughout 'the district. ■ Water'is over the rail- ' way lines near Araliura, the permanent "way being washed out. Tlie Hokitika train ‘to Greymou’th. was. ' lin'ablbt tb' ar %et " : ’tlii ; bugli. : The Paroa ‘road is -under-.water ?and the main road between Cafhdrons and Kumara f i's alsq,; affected,:. The rivers, are in flood and the creeks are running. baiflP-high.' There v is serious damage hear... Stafford. • -

i It is reported'Ta‘>Tbig slip'near the tunnel of the hydro-electric works at Kaimata brought down 3.000 tons of soil blocking the outlet, and the tunnel is now full of water. All work is suspended. Tlie rain eased this morning.