Yesterday morning there was strong wind. Later the rain came, and stayed! It rained continuously for 36 hours, and the city’s damaged infrastructure simply couldn’t cope. The Avon and Heathcote Rivers both overflowed and many streets and houses have been flooded.
For various reasons Stephen dropped me in Cambridge Terrace near the Worcester Street Bridge this morning. I thought I’d be fine to walk the few blocks from there to work, but it wasn’t quite that easy.
Cambridge Terrace and the riverbank were flooded, so I crossed the Worcester Street Bridge, only to find that the other end of that was flooded too. My only option was to climb along the brick fence, but then I was faced with a deep pool that I had to wade across. Some people were taking off shoes and socks, but I had ankle boots and an umbrella to manage, so I simply rolled up my trousers and waded through to where I could climb onto a low brick wall and walk along it.
The rest of the way to work was wet, but manageable. I put a heater on to dry my boots and socks, and the internet and phones went off. Apparently three bars of the heater was too much for the power board. Luckily it was easily reset, I confined myself to one bar of the heater, and padded around in bare feet for a few hours until my footwear dried out.
By home time the rain had stopped and much of the flooding had subsided. We are lucky that our cottage is on higher ground. Some neighbouring streets had been impassable because of water. In other areas hundreds of houses have been flooded. Many of these are the homes of people still awaiting earthquake repairs and fighting with insurance companies. Having to make yet another claim will surely be too much for some. This week’s flooding is apparently a one in a hundred years event, and I wonder how long it will be till next time.
“The rain came down, and down, and down
and water surged all over town.”
That was quite a trek to get to work Ruth.
Apparently the Queensland(Australia) government has been very proactive with insurance companies and had some positive results re flood cover in that state. Something similar needs to happen here.
We waited here for the forecast 120km gales but it seems that the southern and eastern parts of the island have taken the brunt this time.
It is challenging to consider that these “events” could become more frequent.
LikeLike
Glad to hear you’ve escaped these gales. A real challenge for local and central government as to what can be done for those people whose houses have now flooded several times since the earthquakes.
LikeLike
Ruth, I was thinking of you and wondering if your cottage was safe. What a challenge for Christchurch, after all that you have gone through already.
LikeLike
Sometimes the challenges seem never-ending. While we are personally okay so far, my heart goes out to those who still don’t have secure homes.
LikeLike
Your photo of the Avon River reminded me of another one I have seen of it in flood, but in the late 19th Century ( I think). Glad you are home, safe and dry, now. Others must still be in an awful mess. Very very disheartening.
LikeLike
Apparently there was a similar flood in 1975, but this one was worse. More challenges for mental health workers now.
LikeLike
And an excuse for insurance companies to raise premiums again.
LikeLike
😦
LikeLike
Christchurch cant take much more rain… over the last few years, you have had enough, and enough is enough.. just hope the coming Winter will be kind to you all.
LikeLike
Thanks, Adele. There are many people here who simply cannot take any more of this kind of event.
LikeLike
[…] burst the river banks , a friend went foraging across town and, then, treated me to some of her finds…beautiful, […]
LikeLike
Ruth….I spotted this request over on a blog post on PAS. You may like to forward your flood photos to the NIWA scientist: http://sciblogs.co.nz/waiology/2014/03/07/calling-for-christchurch-flood-photos/
LikeLike
Thanks for this, OG. There was a similar request in this morning’s “Press”, and I will send my photos.
LikeLike
Photos sent!
LikeLike
It is a small thing but very helpful by all accounts:-)
LikeLike
Anything that can help build knowledge of our flooding problems is much needed and appreciated.
LikeLike
I think our whole country needs this type of information given our shakey and, in places, swampy or reclaimed land.
LikeLike