FLOOD IN MASTERTON

Taihape Daily Times, 25 May 1918, Page 5

FLOOD IN MASTERTON

LARGE PART OF TOWN UNDER WATER. HEAVIEST FLOOD FOR 34 YEARSj MUCH DAMAGE DONE. •'. MASTEETON, this day. There is a very heavy flood in Mas'-i terton. The Waipoua river broke through at Masterton at a late hour last night, flooding a big proportion of the business centre. The damage cannot yet be estimated, but is able. The firebell was rung at one o'clock this morning to warn the people of the danger. There are hundreds of people in the streets rendering as-? sistance where needed. The present! is the largest flood experienced in' Masterton since 1884.

FURTHER PARTCULARS. " MASTER TON, this day. A violent storm was experienced last night, the worst for over 30 years* Heavy rain fell for hours, culminating in= ayterrible thunderstorm. The Walpoua river burst its banks and flooded pajgt of Masterton. The water is two to three feet deep in parts of the bu&iness portion of the town. Mans; houses are flooded, some up- to four feet. The flood water receded at 3 a.m. and the danger is now over. If is estimated that heavy loss has been caused. A NIGHT OF TERROR. A TIME OF GREAT ANXIETY. _ MASTERTON, this day. Later particulars concerning the floods show that the Waipoua broke through in two places, and tore through the lower part ci the town. For about four hours the situation was •very; serious. About 10 o'clock, when the.firebell rang to "warn people; of •danger, in the shop's of Wrigley and Albert, the Queen's Hall and Villa Street there was a sea of water, which was quite three feet deep in places* The business people, whose premises were in danger, communicated with bands of residents and commenced the work of placing their stock beyond the reach of the water Householders were kept busy removing household goods to a place of safety, and taking other precautions. At times it was terrifying, as owing to the heavy thunderstorm and vivid lightning it was a night of terror, and as each hour passed the situation became worse, and the lower part of the town was In, danger of being almost completely inundated. Fortunately, about , two o'clock, the water commenced to recede and Hx three the worst was over* Some ..of the streets were raging torrents of watei. One house near the river had four feet of water in it. There was a good deal of alarm among the residents, as flood water gradually rose. Rain came down in sheets, and indications were that the flood would increase. Fortunately, the storm abated and conditions improved from two o'clock onwards. Reports from other parts of the district announce heavy floods.