WINTRY WEATHER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 16 May 1925, Page 8

WINTRY WEATHER.

FLOODS LEAR TAUMARUNUI WANGANUI RIVER HIGH By Telejrrap'- - - Tress Association. TAUMARUNI, May 15. An exceptionally lieavv rainfall, accompanied by lightning and thunder, was experienced last night, and there was a rapid rise in tne Wangamx River. Last night’s downpour, cause* a rise of 5 feet- above the usual leva at 1) o’clock. Between 10 and 1. o’clock the river rose another foot, onl’ the protective groynes saving the lower portions of the town from flood. A washout on the main Highway about six miles noth of 'lauiiiarunui cut off communication with Ohura and Tc Kuiti.

Itoad communication north and south is now blocked by washouts, at Oio in the south and Taringamotu in tlu noth.

RECORD FLOOD IN ONGARUE,

By Teteeranh —Press Association.

TAUMARUNUI, May 15. Rain continues to fall heavily. 'Hie Ongarue river is now in lib* flood, thirteen feet above normal level, anti two feet above tlie previous retold in 1914. The swing bridges crossing tne river have been washed away. Tlio tremendous volume ol water in the Ongarue is gradually backing up tne Wanganui, and unless there is a steadying m the rise' of both rivers, tno lower portion of the town is bound to be flooded.

A slip oil the railways above Wamiha at seven o’clock his morning was ceared :u two hours.

DANGER POINT PASSED Bj TelecranL—Trc*«. A^orinttoi. ' TAUMARUNUI, May 15. . During the last fortnight T;uuu;runui and surrounding districts oxpefenced an exceptionally heavy rainfall, aid tor a while it was ieared that the town was about to experience u. ic|A.n.„. the disastrous April flood of last year. , . A sudden cessation of the ramfdl at 1.30 p.m., however, just when tlie lituation was uecoming menacing, , averted mangel-. At one stage, the Wanganui river was six feet above normal level, tnd the Ungarue river, which joins the Wanganui below the steamer landing, 1 reaened the highest level yet recorded. lUuca debris was washed down the rher, ami lmge tree tranks crashed iito the bridges, which fortunately vutfistouj the shock. No serious damage was done by the flood. A few settlers lost sloop, and small swing bridges were washed away. Many washouts and slips occurred on country roads. The river-boats were unable ;o leave this morning, owing to the flooded nature of the Ongarue, which “wis more than bank high. Tlie rainfall since nine o’eloec Wednesday morning was nearly ei" inches. There has been no further rain since 1.30, .and all danger is now past.

MAIN ROAD. BLOC-KID.

By Teleernph—l’ross

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 15. Traffic on the main north road between New Plymouth and le Kuiti was blocked to-day, noavy rain rnnging down slips on the south s.de ol Mount messenger. The Mokau river is lmpassgUe, and further .slips occurred on in cAyakino Valley road. The mail cars were blocked to-day, and .service connection with xc Kuiti is not expected before nxciiuay.