HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1920, Page 4

HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN.

STREAMS IN HIGH FLOOD. The 'heavy rain which fell all day on Wednesday, and continued throughout the night, and until about 10 o'clock yesterday morning,* caused most of the streams and rivers to flood heavily. The discoloration and increased volume of water was noticeable early in the morning, but between !) and 10 o'clock it became apparent that the ordinary watercourses in some places would not cope with the unusual volume of flood water making its way seaward. The Mangatuku stream overflowed its banks and the basements of the premises in Devon street, which abut on to the stream were flooded to a dejith of several inches. The water continued to rise all the morning, reaching the maximum height at about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The haunts of the rata became inundated, nnd many of them were-seen scurrying about in search of safer quarters. ■ Sev> eral of the rodents found their way into Devon street where they were killed. Rsidents of long standing in the town stated that the stream was higher than it has been seen for several years past, and some said that the Huatoki rose above what had hitherto been regarded as high water mark. The water encroached •in several cellars in business premises along its banks.

The Waiwakaiho had a very large volume of water, rising several feetaibove normal, the sight at the Devon bridge being a thrilling one. The Borough Council's work in connection with the hydro-electric scheme suffered somewhat. The intake was again filled vip, necessitating the employment of a gang of men to clear away the debris deposited by the flood water. It is only a short time ago that a delay in the work was caused in similar manner, and it is expected the work on the present occasion will take several day* to overcome the obstruction.