Flood Threatens Heretaunga Plains

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 663, 15 May 1929, Page 1

Flood Threatens Heretaunga Plains

MANY ROADS BLOCKED GROUP CUT OFF BY WATERS Press Association NAPIER, Today. i The Heretaunga Plains are threatened with a flood which may equal that of 1897. The main road south was blocked during the night, and other roads are closed this morning. Railway buses are making a detour, but, owing to tbe threatened closing of the road at Waitangi, an inland detour may be found necessary. The water is reported to he up to the decking of the Redelyffe Bridge, where the Tutaekuri River has overflowed. The overflow channel came into operation for the first time overnight, and its effects are being watched closely, as part of the district is afraid it means disaster to Clive, while relieving Taradale and Meanee. The rainfall has been heavy in the back country, and threatens to continue. Napier’s fall for the last 24 hours was 2J inches. The Ngaruroro River rose very rapidly overnight, and all stock has been removed to higher levels. Should the Redelyffe Bridge become blocked, Napier will be cut off from the South. The inland road at Rissington is blocked, the low-level bridge being submerged. It is reported that 55 people are held up at the Tangoio creek 17 miles north of Napier, where they have been since yesterday, being unable to retreat or to advance. Food and comforts are being sent out, and efforts are being made to get a rope across to rescue them. NAPIER, 1.30 p.m. The rivers are now receding slightly at the lower danger points, hut this is due, it is believed, to breaks higher up where the water has got out of control. Stock losses on the plains will probably he light as the farmers were removing their stock yesterday and throughout the night. The weather is brightening slightly and the rain is much less severe. The sea is moderately rough. Danger is not all over, as much of the back-country water has yet to come down. The Ngaruroro River at Fernhill overflowed on to the paddocks on the Moteo side. Hastings is-not threatened at all. The 1897 flood was one of the most disastrous in the history of New Zealand. A boat conveying seven men from Napier, who were going to Clive on rescue work, was swept out to sea at the Waitangi Bridge. The loss of stock was enormous, and a large part of Hastings was inundated for several days.

HEAVY FALL AT MASTERTON Press Association MASTERTON, Today. Heavy rain lias fallen throughout the Masterton district during the past 24 hours. Rivers are flooded and low-lying land is under water. Over three inches of rain fell in 24 hours.