FLOOD DAMAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1931, Page 4

FLOOD DAMAGE

Having been only just reopened oil Monday for traffic after the heavy rains' of last week, tile Otira Gorge road was again blocked to traffic yesterday, through slips, caused by the heavy rains overnight and early yesterday morning. The downpour caused a washout at Goat Creek, just- above Otira. but it was anticipated to have this cleared last night. A considerable amount of earth came down the overflow, alongside the water table in the gorge, and blocked the road, and it is not known when this will be sufficiently cleared to allow traffic to pass through. In the meantime, it will again be necessary for cars to entrain from Aickens.

At Otira. 6.58 inches of rain were recorded in 24 hours, this being the largest quantity that has been experienced this season in that locality. The river at Aickens where the recent washout occurred was too high to cross at the ford yesterday. There was a small slip at Aickens yesterday morning which was, however, cleared awav before middav.

Advice was last evening received by Mr G. W. Sampson. Assistant District Engineer of the Public Works Department, to the effect tliat the Nel-son-West Coast main highway at the L.vell was blocked to traffic and that it would be some time before it was again open for traffic. Mr Sampson stated that it was hoped to have a temporary road through on Friday, hut for the present traffic must use the Manila route, A strong run in the Grey River was the result yesterday of the heavy and persistent rains in the high country in the early hours. At 9 o’clock in the morning there was only a slight fresh in Ihe river, but it swelled quickly, and was si ill running high. with no signs of abating, last evening, carrying in its How driftwood of all dimensions.