Severe Floods in Nelson District

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 11

Severe Floods in Nelson District

r- * POWER-HOUSE CLOSED GALE and earthquake Press Association NELSON, Today. On Saturday evening and yesterday Motueka and the surrounding districts of Riwaka and Lower Moutere experienced one of the largest floods for many years. Saturday night was one long to be remembered. The peace of mind of many was upset by a severe earthquake, which was felt shortly after six o’clock, and during the evening a strong breeze, freshening to a gale, sprang up, bringing incessant rain. \t 9-30 p m., owing to the quantity „f water about, it was thought advis.[,ie to close the power-house. At daylight on Sunday morning most of B orth-western sections of the borough were badly flooded, and several families in the Wakarewa district, and in low-lying areas, were forced to vacate their homes until the food receded. About 100 telephone subscribers lost communication with the office. The rain caused a large slip at Takaka Hills at the two-mile peg from Riwaka. Uoutere and Riwaka districts also suffered considerably!! A pier in the railway bridge at Waiiti was scoured, and the bridge was given a slight cant, and passengers for Glenhope this morning were transferred to a train on the other side. It is hoped to effect temporary repairs by this evening. A slip on the southern end of the Kohatu Tunnel was cleared in time for the train to pass. The country and line are under water for long distances, but it is mostly surface water, and no further serious damage is reported. Another slip came down on the Glenhope-Murchison road, but it was washed clear to allowservice cars to pass this afternoon.