Storm Effects

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 87, 9 November 1916, Page 5

Storm Effects

REGENT HEAVY RAINFALL DAMAGE IN THE DISTRICT. For over forty-eight hours a strong northerly wind lias been blowing with I considerable force, accompanied hr : torrential rain, making discomfited residents throughout the town and district jib at any journey except I where necessity dictated. Throughiout Tuesday night there was no cessation of the storm, and this containJ 7 ing all day yesterday caused the rivers to overflow their banks. The force of the storm water brought down stream huge logs, which battered at the piers of the bridges, and ! seriously weakened and damaged many owing to the heavy impact. All through the back blocks roads, particularly in the Whangamomona and hilly districts, are now practical* .ly impassable. Everywhere the damage done lias affected traffic. Last evening in Broadway, Stratford, interested crowds watched the i tumult of waters and the debris at the site of the Patea bridge. Although, the rain fell very heavily up to 7 o’clock, this morning the heavy wind and storm had temporarily abated, though tho gloomy aspect of the hoar veils is not promising. So far, no report is to hand of any personal injury resulting from the effects of the wind and storm, but the damage to many bridges is considerable, and the stock must have suffered to a large extent.

THE MAIL DELAYED. Passengers from New Plymouth by the mail train this morning had an unusual experience, as instead of reaching Stratford soon after 8.30, tile time was 9.55 on their arrival. At the Manganui bridge, between Midhirst and Waipuku the train had to stop owing to the bridge having given way, the centre pier being damaged so that the train could not pass. The damage was so great that the barrage supporting tlio bridge gave way. So that the journey could bo continued, a special train was dispatched, and the passengers and mails were transferred from one train to the other from this end. Although this caused some delay and inconvenience, Stratford was reached in safety, and the mail passed through an hour late. The Manganui bridge will need considerable repairs before it can be used for traffic.

A DAM BURST. It was reported this morning that the electric light dam had been washed away, but this was found to be incorrect. The safety gap, which is built in the weir to create a deep water channel 20ft wide by 3ft deep to allow for heavy timber to pass without striking the weir, was carried away last night. This is the usual November occurrence, although last year was an exception, when the storm water was not so heavy. It should be explained that the gap is built to prevent other damage, and is nearly always carried away. When the flood subsides sufficiently to allow of the gap being replaced about 300 ft of white pine is used and after three hours’ work everything is reinstated. It is reassuring to know that the dam has not been damaged.

NEAR THE WAINCONCORA. Considerable damage has been done owing to the heavy floods near the Waingongora* Bridge, Cardiff, where there is a slip, the road having fallen into the river, impeding traffic. This damage which is on the Stratford side of the bridge, will take some days to repair, and will probably cause some blockage in the traffic. All the crushing plant men and foremen of the Stratford County Council available are at present engaged on the necessary repairs, but it will be some days before the damage can be repaired.

THE WHANCAMOMONA TUNNEL.

A land slip has occurred at the Whangaraomona tunnel which will affect the traffic for a time. From reports to hand, much damage has been done on many roads in the back blocks.

PATEA ROLLING RAPIDLY. Tlie heavy flood has washed away the hanks of the Patea near Messrs Malone and King’s office, and at railway bridge heavy logs have been washed up against the piers of the viaduct. At New Plymouth a sensation was caused when it became known that the Waiwakaiho traffic bridge, which connects the town with the outlying district to the north, had collapsed. It appears that the impact of the great volume of water weakened the under structure of the bridge at Fitzroy, and this resulted in about 30 feet of ithe structure falling ino the bed of the river. The police were communi'cated with, and precautions taken to , warn passengers of the danger. _ The bridge, which was built in 1907, has I been regarded as dangerous for a i long time.