Torrential Rain Brings Floods to Nelson City

Streams, creeks, ditches and stormwater drains which barely carried a trickle of water during late April and early May, overflowed their banks and flooded many parts of Nelson on the weekend of May 8 and 9, Heavy rain which fell on the Friday evening reached torrential proportions on the Saturday afternoon, and homes and properties in the city area in particular suffered severely from water damage. Most of the flooding occurred when debris blocked the waterways and the overflow found new outlets through homes and gardens. In all, the weather office at the airport recorded 5½ inches of rain for 48 hours over this period, but it was estimated that in some areas the fall was much heavier than this. It was on the Saturday afternoon when most of the flooding occurred. Worst affected areas were at Annesbrook, Murphy Street, Waimea Road and around St. Vincent Street. We would like to apologise for the somewhat fuzzy quality of some of the prints in this feature. The pix were taken at the height of the downpour on the Saturday, and the rain made an almost impenetrable curtain.

The paddocks around Motor Assemblies' factory were inundated. New cars awaiting delivery were above the water line however and were not damaged.

This stormwater drain in Waterhouse Street was unable to deal with the large capacity of water and stormwater erupted through this manhole. A lot of water from Waterhouse Street rushed across Waimea Road and down into Cawthron Crescent, causing flooding there.

Surface water rushing down the hill of a property in Waterhouse Street added to the flood of water which poured down the road

Dressed for the occasion

An Annesbrook resident attempts to clear debris which blocked the drain outside his home. Water rose quickly in this area and the highway had to be closed late in the afternoon.

Saltwater Creek was running almost to road level when this pic was taken about 4.30 p.m.

The intersection of Washington Road and St. Vincent Street had flooded at 4.30 p.m. and the flood waters rose later when the main downpour occurred. This area was impassable at one stage.

A low area in Puriri Street quickly flooded and water entered at least two homes here.

Many motorists using the roads around 4.45 p.m. had to travel at a slow speed to be able to see through the dense curtain of rain, and for a safeguard against road flooding. Many who travelled too fast, stalled when water splashed into the engine compartment. Many were stranded in water which rose above the floor sills. Some enterprising young men earned themselves some pocket money around the Vanguard Street area by pushing stranded cars through the flood waters, and many other motorists had to be pushed out of flood waters by larger vehicles.

A stormwater drain on the Presbyterian Church property in Waimea Road could not cope with the extra water and spilled over into the street.

A St. Vincent Street resident removing debris which was pounding her bridge over the creek.

Trying to keep dry while affecting repairs, this motorist climbed under the bonnet of his car in Cawthron Crescent.

Storm water spilled over the footpaths and onto properties below road level in Cawthron Crescent

Flood waters cascading down Waimea Road and Waterhouse Street found an outlet in Cawthron Crescent and the roadway and low-lying home properties were quickly inundated.

An evening shot taken in Vanguard Street and looking towards the Post Office Hotel corner. At the time this was taken a rowing boat was being used at the Hardy Street intersection to assess damage.

This huge tree trunk (foreground) blocked Jenkins Stream at Annesbrook and flood waters inundated the property and home of Mr and Mrs J. H. Round, which backs on to the stream.

A new concrete foundation fence belonging to Mr Ted Watson was uprooted and flattened by flood waters cascading down The Ridgeway.

Cleaning the debris from Jenkins Stream on the Sunday (the amount of loose debris on the banks of the stream and in property was quite surprising).

A concrete path across a ditch in Quarantine Road had\ disappeared when the water receded.

Flooding was not, however, confined to the centre of the city. In Marsden Valley the valley stream was blocked by a tree trunk and the stream broke its banks and flooded the road. Council machines removed the tree on the Sunday.(Above). Mr "Bud" Abbott's property suffered quite severely from the downpour in the valley. It washed from his drive a newly-laid layer of shingle, and a small ditch brought down this tremendous flow of boulders to block the drive and bury a trailer. He is seen (Above) digging out the trailer on the Sunday. The pic at Left shows the amount of rubble carried down the small ditch (left background).

Mrs Rose Round and a neighbour, Mrs Annie Terry, discard the carpet in Mrs Round's home. The water rose to nine inches inside the house and damage to furniture and appliances was extensive.

Mr Round surveys a neighbour's shed, owned by Mr Appleton, which was undermined when Jenkins Stream flooded.

Another stormwater drain on Annesbrook Drive blocked and flood waters crossed the road and smashed down Mr Harry Kearney's ornamental fence, who is seen here trying to restore some semblance of order.

This huge truss at the back of a property in Puriri Street was swept some 60 to 70 yards across the property by flood waters.

It's an ill rain.

Murphy Street residents really copped it again. This area has a history of flooding and it would appear as if the City Council will have to give serious consideration towards increasing the storm water drainage system. On this occasion most of the trouble arose when a storm water drain, on the property of Bill Horner, was blocked and blew out. The torrent of water in the drain rushed through his, and most of the other below road-level properties on the street. In some cases mattresses and tarpaulins were used in attempts to stop the waters from entering the homes, but many gave up in despair as the water kept rising.

Murphy Street on Sunday - clean-up day for most residents

Mr Horner shifting mattresses to higher ground the next day. His home was inundated to a depth of several inches.

Ian Ward, one of the residents affected, had a fence washed out and his house invaded by water. To get it out he had to bore holes in the floor and break holes in the walls.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 115 : May 30, 1970

Torrential Rain Brings Floods to Nelson City