HEAVY RAIN CAUSES FLOODS IN WESTLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 182, 22 October 1927, Page 1

HEAVY RAIN CAUSES FLOODS IN WESTLAND

GREY RIVER RISES Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Friday. The past few days have seen the recurrence of the usual heavy west coast rainfall at the end of the spring, melting the snow on the main divide and flooding ihe streams which flow down rapid courses into the Tasman Sea. The Grey River Has been running a characteristic "banker.” At Westland 4Jin of rain fell in the last 48 hours. In the same period over 3in fell here, but the fall at Otira must have been greater. Last evening" the rapid rise of the water occasioned fears of a big flood in Greymouth, but at the last moment the rain ceased and danger was averted. The vicinity of Swanson Street and Victoria Park presented the appearance of a lake this morning, the water being 2ft or 3ft deep. The cellars of several hotels underwent their usual flooding. Three vessels in port, the Tees, Kaimai and Kamona, received the full force of the flood waters. Extra cables and chains held them to the wharf, and their engines were kept at half speed ahead. The flood waters covered Preston ftoad as far as the bridge opposite Victoria Park, and the lagoon at Hlaketown also backed up to Reids Street. The racecourse at Omoto disappeared under the overflow from the river, and so did Coal Creek Flat. Lorries bound from Barrytown to Greymouth were held up at Coal Creek and road traffic between Greymouth and Runanga was also suspended. The flood has washed out the approaches to the Red Rocks bridge and two bridges over Brown's Creek. This morning it was impossible to proceed beyond Stillwater owing to the depth of water on the road. In the Kamaka district the railway services were interrupted last night owing to a small washout. All trains to and from Otira ran as usual to-day. The Reefton line at Matai was under water and the Reefton trains were held up for four hours. The Greymouth trotting track was under water to a depth of two or three feet early this morning, but the water was receding quickly this afternoon. Present indications are that the track will be heavy for use to-morrow. One result of the flood will be to give a much desired clearance to the Grey Bar.