Floods in the Hutt Valley

The Hutt Valley was under water yesterday. Aerial photos show whole suburbs inundated, water where there were streets and gardens. The highway by the Petone ramp and railway station was one raging river. Such floods are not everyday occurrences. The last time we remember such a flood was in 1976, soon after we moved into our new house. The garden was a scene of devastation. It was also just before Christmas, a day that should have been one of our best trading days. The trade was washed out and we probably never made up for lost business. Now however our house and garden stood up to the storm. We had a slight leak in our family room, possibly because the guttering was blocked, but more likely because the storm water drain just couldn't cope with the deluge. Much of the garden was under water, but we were cosy inside the house. I thought of the settlers who arrived on the first immigrant ship, the Aurora, on 22 January 1840. No sooner did they disembark and start to get themselves sorted out than the Hutt River flooded. Most of the 1000 settlers packed up and moved across the harbour and set up camp in Thorndon. The downpour this time brought to mind the plight of those settlers. After a harrowing three month voyage they arrived in a picturesque harbour, surrounded by lush vegetation, a place full of promise. Then shortly after, they faced a flood that drove them out, a shattering disappointment, with no way back, no chance of retreat. They had to face the challenges of nature, the suspicion that they were ripped off by New Zealand Company, and the threat of touchy and at time hostile Maori. The fortitude that was required to dig in, make the most of their opportunities, and build their own paradise was brought home by this recent storm.