SEVERE STORMS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1932, Page 6

SEVERE STORMS

IN WELLINGTON PROVINCE

THE COUNTRYSIDE INUNDATED

(Per Pssi: Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, August 29,

At Carterton the worst flood since 1924 is being experienced. Rain cornfenced to fall about 3 o’clock on Sunday morning, first a warm snow lying on the hills, then changing to a cold southerly Which brought in its wake further heavy falls of snow, and all the hills right down to the. low levels were again heavily coated, ju-.-.; FLOODS IN MANAWATU ji' PALMERSTON N.. August 29. The flooding 1 of low lying area's in the Manawatu district is considered imminent, folfowifig heavy week-end rain in Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa. The Manawatu river rose with remarkable (rapidity during the night. Settlers aro-re moving their stock to higher levelfejlQnly one loss of stock is so 'far' reported'! : The rainfall for 24 hours ended at nine this mo filing was 1.36 inches. The river is noiv, bank high in most places. Much damage and loss of stock is feared if it continues to rise.

FLOOD DAMAGE.

• i jj£tH r A TIT A. August <29. Three int-hefe of rain in 24 hours, caused heavy floods. ’ Sevei al districts are under water, particularly, Konini, where the factory, and also the manager’s residence, and the hall were flooded. There-''is considerable loss of stock.

The town approach to the borough bridge on the road to the station was washed away and one pier is sagging. The road is closed till a temporary span bridges the gap and the pier is reinforced. The new bridge is not likely to be completed for several months. Eighteen inches of snow fell on the fßiimitiaka. (road, land a (landslide on the • WW’lington side- holds traffic dp. The- fivers on the road fo Carterton Vapidly filled an'd overflowed. The -banks on ; the Grey/town ' sid e of th“ Waiohine river are also, swamps, and :fbe 'fd“4. side gave way inundating the . whole countryside. The main road , s outh is covered to an extraordinary depth, completely blocking motor traffic. Ahiaruhe 'set-tlers-are completely flooded, and no milking is po-sSibi’e on account of watefs entering the bails. Heavy snow wa,s experienced, and the gjouiid not covered by; flood, was coated to '■

depth of four inches. ' .(/Stock is- wandering along the ro'<’ seeking ’fodder. One settler lost two cq.ws in the flood. Considerate dan’ .age vva* done to many bridge ap .proaehes. and the roadside between Black Bridge and Grey town was gong;At Greyfown- the high flrossure; water supply was' completely cut off throne 1 (Ja.mage at the head works, and fill *’ races are turned into the main* ‘fiie town.- is without Wat3?f;'Rain is still falling.

DAMAGE CAUSED TO ROADS

-WELLINGTO N,,,-A ugusf 29

Wellington’s rainfall for the 24 hours fended -at 9 a.m. was 348 points, the heavifestj) .sineq-; April, 1929;/-

A bijts s/’ip in the Rimntaka.s w'F take till Wednesday morning to clear. .Slips Ml at Paekakariki also, but t v ’ road though .not very safe. The SHutt; -river rose nine feet, bn' receded during the. night. There was. no serious damage in the, eit.v.