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Matawai-Waioeka Flood

Damage to the extent of at least £150,000, if not more, wag caused to the Waioeka Gorge Road in the flash flood that struck the Matawai area on Friday, February 3.

In a cloudburst which deluged the area with 7½ inches of rain overnight, stock was lost, fences carried away and debris spread over large areas of farmland.

On the Matawai side of Trafford's Hill washouts were numerous, and in the Waioeka valley the northern approach to the Opato bridge was completely carried off leaving a gap of some 40ft which effectively severed the highway.

Slips came down, and further up the valley a quarter-mile section of the road was completely washed away.

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The Opato bridge minus the approach.

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M.O.W. machines and private contractors commence the large refill job at the bridge.

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The canyon-like gap at the end of the bridge

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The Opato bridge taken from the junction of the Opato stream and the river

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Blocked culverts cause water to still pour over the road two days later

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A telephone pole left at a crazy angle

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A short road section completely gone

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A combined slip and washout reduces the road to a one-lane track

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Thousands of square yards of embankment disappeared

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Rodney Davidson cleans up on His father's property

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A torrent of water swept through the township leaving a trail of silt and rubbish

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Matawai encircled by the nearby hills

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Pastures ruined by silt

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Barry Davidson in their mud-covered backyard

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