Big Flood in Opotiki

Sunday, May 5, 1957, will be a day long remembered in Opotiki. Torrentiial rains which fell on Saturday and Saturday night swelled rivers to high flood. When Sunday morning dawned, it was found that the Otara River, which runs close to the town, was bank to bank. With the rain ceasing, it was hoped that the flood would pass, but with the tide on the make, the river discharge was reduced. About 11 a.m. it overflowed, spread across adjacent farm lands, and quickly flooded the lower portions of the town. Soon the water was up to three feet deep in many streets, including those in the main shopping area, where considerable damage was done to premises and stook. Estimates of the total damage from the flood in the district ranged as high as £100,000.

Residents and businessmen faced a heartbreaking task as the waters receded, leaving a heavy silt deposit to be cleaned up. But the people of Opotiki rallied to the task with a will and quickly effaced the worst of the damage.

Pictures on this and the next page were taken by Charles Hough on the Sunday afternoon of the flood. In most of them, the flood level has fallen about 6 inches below peak height.

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Flood waters coursing through Church Street: a picture taken at 4 p.m. from library corner

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Launch and lorry in St. John's Street played their part in relief work

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Flood waters swirling past the Royal Hotel entrance