FLOOD DEVASTATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1938, Page 7

FLOOD DEVASTATION

ESK VALLEY A VAST SHEET OF WATER Residents Seek Safety on Roofs WHOLE AREA BURIED IN SILT HASTINGS, April 26. With the gradual subsidence, of rivers during the night it was possible today to arrive at some estimate of the extent of the aiea affected by yesterday’s big flood and of the losses inflicted on pub ic bodies, as well as individuals. The Esk Valley and Pakowhai districts and the townships of Bay View and Clive were undoubtedly the biggest sufferers, although in other districts many individuals have lost heavily. Although the flood-waters in the Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and Tukituki Rivers had dropped considerably by this morning, the rivers are stillrunning well above normal. Rain continued throughout the night and during the afternoon against set in from the south. The rapid subsidence of the Ngaruroro River made possible this morning the restoration of the road traffic between Napier and Hastings, via Fernhill. This will be the only means of communication by road between the two towns until the flood-waters subside at Pakowhai, which will take some days. The collapse of the new concrete bridge at Waitangi Washout-will, of course, close the main route indefinitely. It is impossible yet to form any estimate of farmer’s losses as a result of the floods. Live stock losses, except in the Esk Valley, however, are not expected to be particularly heavy. On the other hand, loss of pastures through silting, washouts and erosion, particularly on the hills, is expected to be very heavy. Damage to public roads, bridges and culverts, as well as private roads to homesteads, is expected to run into many thousands of pounds.

DASH FOR SAFETY. The flood in the Esk Valley is described as the worst in the history of the There the Esk River rose with phenomenal rapidity in the early hours of yesterday morning and broke its banks in the vicinity of Waipunga. In a few hours the whole valley to the sea was covered with flood waters to a depth of about five feet. Residents had to make a hurried dash for safety, many getting away with only what they stood up in. Practically every home in the valley was damaged and piled up with silt. All stock not moved to the hills was lost and in some cases farmers have lost all their live stock, which was swept out to sea. The scene in the Esk Valley yesterday was described by Mr F. G. Smith, Napier, one of the trustees of the Hawke’s Bay Children’s Home. The journey from Bay View to the top of the hill overlooking the Esk Valley was the worst he had ever undertaken. ,In that distance they had to cross between 40 and 50 slips, through some of which they waded chest deep. “Our task in getting through was bad enough,” said Mr Smith, “but that faced by the police party in getting boats into the valley was far worse, since the boats had to be hauled over the slips, and even when floated they had to be forced' against the swift current.” TREMENDOUS DAMAGE. From' the top of the hill, said Mr Smith, the appearance of the valley was beyond description. Looking down toward Eskview School there was a vast sheet of water from the bottom of the hill right across the valley to the hills in the distance. There was not the slightest sign of vegetation apart from trees standing out of the water, and houses were flooded up to the windows. Flooding had never been so bad in the valley before, and the damage would be tremendous. “From the top of the hill we treked round to Eskdale itself,” continued Mr Smith. “Here we found terrible conditions. Railway cottages were surrounded by water, also silted up to a distance of four or five feet. The occupants were imprisoned by silt and water and had to break windows in order to get on to roofs, from which they were eventually rescued. Forcing our way toward France House, we had to wade up to our waists in silt. The place is ruined, but fortunately it stood the strain and all the boys and staff were safe. “The peak of the flood came in daylight and there was no panic whatever. The sight in the valley was a truly remarkable one. From Eskdale to the sea the whole country was covered with silt to a depth of four to five feet. Losses to farmers must be tremendous and it will be months before any regular transport can be arranged through this area.” One of the heaviest losers in the valley is Mr F. Wilson, whose beautiful farm on the flat below Eskdale School is now buried by flood water and silt. His house was turned completely round by the force of the flood water. In addition he lost all his live stock. HOUSES INVADED BY WATER. Water invaded almost every house on the flats at Bay View. At 7 o’clock yesterday morning the water rose several feet in some houses and residents made a hurried exit. The only piece of high ground in the area is the site of the Bay View Hotel and store, and here residents assembled. One said today that the flood was the worst since the big flood of March, 1924. The flood at Pakowhai was much more serious than in January, and many settlers whose homes were flooded were compelled last night to take refuge in the schoolhouse. Losses of apples in orchards are believed to be serious. Pakowhai settlers say the fllood was the worst for 20 years. Many chains of road were flooded by the overflow from drains and many paddocks were converted into small lakes. Residents of Clive spent an enxious night. With the approach of darkness yesterday the flood-waters continued to rise, and residents abandoned their homes and assembled at the hall, where many hundreds spent the night. Many families had to be rescued from

their homes by boats. When the boats arrived at East . Clive many families were standing on tables and beds, out

of reach of the rising water. During the night parties of men patrolled the banks of the Ngaruroro River and during the early hours of the morning, when they found that the overflow of water from Whakatu and Mangateretere was higher than the river, a cut was made in the bank, which let the water away. This lowered the level of water in the township. Although the floor of the Clive Hotel is about five feet above ground level, there was nearly a foot of water in the rooms at the hight of the flood. Floor coverings were ruined by silt. Several visiting motor-cars were caught by the flood at Clive and one Wellington car was almost covered with water this morning. The flood waters at Clive have now receded but much water still remains in low-lying areas. EXCEPTIONAL RAINFALL. Some idea of the exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past few days is given by the following recordings: —Mr John Chambers, Mokopeka, recording 8.89 inches yesterday, and 5.30 the previous day. Mr T. P. Clark, Eskdale, recorded over 16 inches over the past three days. Mr H. F. Beamish, Whana Whana, recorded nearly 10 inches over three days. Over 10 inches were recorded at Maraetotara, and 13 inches at Maraekakaho. Mr F. B. Logan, Kereru, at the height of the rainfall, recorded 10 inches for 24 hours. BRIDGES WASHED AWAV , MOHAKA AREA SUFFERS SEVERELY. ROADS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. KOTEMAORI, April 26. From Saturday night till Tuesday morning the rainfall at Kotemaori was 19 inches, and at Putorino 32 inches. There is much damage to roads, railways and telegraph lines in this district. Both the Mohaka road bridges and both the Waikoau Gorge bridges have gone, the Waikari Gorge road is completely blocked and the approach to the Matahoura Gorge bridge has been washed away. At midday on Sunday the Mohaka River was within 4 feet of the new suspension bridge at Willow Flat. At the Mohaka viaduct the river reached 45 feet above the normal level. There are many slips on all hillsides. Public Works and other Government departments are co-operating to restore communications 'by road, rail and telegraph. It is supposed that use may be made of the Mohaka, Waikari and Matahoura railway viaducts for road traffic as being the quickest means of restoring communication. WATER SUPPLY CUT OFF GISBORNE USING EMERGENCY RESERVOIR. DISTRICT ROADS DAMAGED. GISBORNE, April 26. A further investigation of the storm damage shows that blockages on roads other than the main north highway are worse than previously indicated. On the main south road, via Morere, the slips are the worst for years and are likely to take a week to clear, and the replacement of the bridge near Muriwai will take a similar time. On the alternative southern route, via Tiniroto, one section of the road is blocked by the worst slip in a decade, and the bridge at Te Reinga has been washed away, effectively closing the road for days to come. On the East Coast slips of varying size occurred all along the road, commencing a few miles from Gisborne and extending as far as information is available. In addition several bridges or their approaches have been damaged. A particularly serious matter for Gisborne is the destruction of a section of the pipe line conveying the borough water supply. The town is now dependent on an emergency reservoir which carries a day’s normal supply. By carefully rationing water it is hoped to make the supply last for two or three days.