THE WEATHER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4681, 31 March 1924, Page 2

THE WEATHER.

STORM AT PAEROA.

STOP-BANK GAPS CAUSE ALARM

All forms of sport in Paeroa were abandoned on Saturday afternoon owing to the unpropitious weather. On Friday last a stiff easterly wind arose, bringing with it heavy rain in the evening. On Saturday morning the wind abated somewhat, but heavy showers of rain fell, and the barometer fell several points. About 2 p.m. a howling south-easterly gale sprang up, accompanied by torrential rain, anil continued till late evening, followed by heavy thunder and vivid (lashes of fork lightning. At 9 P.m. the Ohinemuri River was reported te have risen four feet at Waihi and seven feet at Waikino. On receiving this information many business people left their homes and, bravely facing the elements, made their way to their business premises for the purpose, of moving goods from the floors of their shops to higher levels, as it seemed at the time that a big flood was imminent. • Fortunately the weather moderated at midnight and a disaster was avoided. Had a flood taken place it would have been a serious matter for Paeroa, a,s the Public Works Department’s policy of stop-banking on the left side of the river and at the same time leaving gaps at the bridges would in all probability have been the means of turning the flood water on to the town.