Flooding in Takaka Follows Heavy Rain

Heavy and incessant rain which fell in the Golden Bay district for two days last month caused the worst flooding in the district for many years. The Takaka River, swollen by the creeks and streams, spilled silt-laden water over its banks and inundated Takaka township, and large areas of undulating farmland in the district became sheets of water in which many head of cattle and sheep were lost. Besides Takaka township it self, the worst affected areas were those in the Takaka Valley and at Waitapu, a short distance north of the town. Homes in Waitapu were invaded by swirling flood waters and at least one family abandoned its home in favour of a boat in the dead of night. The disruption of power and telephone services during the first night of the floods added to the fear and misery of those whose homes were surrounded by water. The water drained away from the township the next day, but the rain continued and showed no signs of lessening in intensity and both the main highway and the eastern route were cut by flood waters. We saw many heartbreaking scenes during our trip around the devastated area, but the strangest we came across was that of young Daryl Stafford (left), dressed, for swimming, nonchalantly walking through pouring rain near Lindsay's Bridge.

The home of Mr and Mrs Jim Perssons, Waitapu, which was invaded by flood waters (carpets were ruined and holes had to be bored in the flooring to allow the water to escape).

Jim Persson, against a background of flooded paddocks, cleans out the boat in which he and his family spent part of the preceding night.

John Persson was hard at it taking up carpets (note the water mark left on the wall).

Neighbours were quick to help out the Persson's family and Mrs Pat Davies, working here, was one of the first.

In the Upper Takaka Valley, stranded sheep on the property of Mr S. Hart show little interest in the efforts of one of their kind to swim to the flock (she made it too).

Mr Vern Eyles surveys the flood waters swirling past and into his grocery store in Takaka and above, the water surrounded stock (both these pix by Mr Bob Papps).

With the slush gone, it was a case of re-stocking for Mr Eyles, June McGuire and Colleen Beattie

On the job was one of the district's best-known residents, roadman Mr D'Arcy McPherson.

The Takaka library was also inundated but books escaped damage (the cleaning up was being carried out when we called, by Mrs Louisa Richards and Mesdames Nancy Coote and Elsie Wood

Drowned sheep littered paddocks and fences on some properties in the Upper Takaka Valley.

Water across the roadway close to Lindsay's Bridge just before the road was closed

On some properties in the Upper Takaka Valley boundary fences simply disappeared under water

Restoring telephone communications was a big job, being carried out here by John Scott and Brian Sixtus.

This swing bridge opposite the Riverside Community in Lower Moutere was smashed when water in the Old Company ditch rose about 14ft.

One of the worst sections of flooded roadway was at this bend on the main highway, about half a mile above Lindsay's Bridge (the road was closed at this point shortly after this pic was taken).

Cattle follow the tractor and cart, laden with dead sheep and hay, in the Upper Takaka Valley

A cement tanker forges through the rock-strewn and water - inundated highway a few miles outside Takaka.

Keeping an eye on traffic and ready to provide assistance, was the Nelson Automobile Association patrol officer, Mr Ron James

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The Nelson Photo News

No 83 : September 16, 1967

Flooding in Takaka Follows Heavy Rain