FLOODS IN N.S.W.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 124, 28 May 1925, Page 7

FLOODS IN N.S.W.

ENORMOUS AREAS AFFECTED. DANGER AND DESOLATION. STOCK AND CROPS SUFFER. (By Cable—-Press .Assoc latlon.—Copyrl^ltt.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The telegraphic service was badly Interrupted by heavy rainstorms, p.nd meagre reports coming to hand to-night j indicate phenomenal falls of rain. There arc heavy floods in the southern districts. At Araluen lS.lßin fell. Yass reports that the river (the Yass) overflowed, and the low-lying parts of ,the town are under water. A number jof families wore rescued in boats. j Wide damage has been done over the cultivated areas. The latest report states that the flood is at a standstill, but water from the high reaches is expected to render the position worse. Gundagai reports that the river is rising rapidly. Stock is being removed from thn low lanils. Already there have been bis losses through floods destroying tlie maize crops. At Queanbevan the flood washed a bridge away. Do/ens of families had to be rescued in boats. All flats are submerged and some houses have been washed away, while others arc submerged to the eaves. A brief report from Wagga Wagga states that the river Murrumbidgee is in high flood. Many residents removed to the high land. The weather report to-day indicates there will be further stormy weather, and probable heaw rain approaching from the south. The weather bureau warned settlers to expect heavy floods in southern rivers. Delayed wires from scattered sources indicate floods arc widespread through the southern districts and damage serious. Ooulburn reports heavy fioodings. All reports, however, up to a late hour give little details. A "heavy storm is raging on the south coast below Morouya travelling north. The weather in Sydney is clear and fine.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) ALARMING REPORTS.. I ENORMOUS BODY OF "WATER. GREAT RIVERS ROARING BY. (Received 2 p.m.l SYDNEY", this day. The terrific floods in the Murrumhidgee river cause grave fears, to be felt for the safety of lives of settlers osd stock. Torrents of rain in the ranges about Kiandra and Cooma caused raging rivers to rush down every gully that feeds hundreds of square miles of the Murrumbidgee watershed. j At Gundagai the river is rising a foot each hour. At Cooma it is impossible to got within a mile of the banks. The water 'is several feet deep tearing over the country. The main road between Sydney and Melbourne is under six feet of water. Houses along the river are submerged. Stacks of lucerne hay are washed away. All other reports are equaly alarming. In 1922 the river flooded a great part ot Wagga. Every indication is that a higher level will be reached thi3 time. The Tumut River is also running a banker. Reports from Burrinjuek dam state! that the water is over the main wall ot the dam. All the great supply pip?s and much other works for the hydroI electric scheme at the dam have been washed away. The post ofliee staff was compelled to abandon the building. In the Queanheyan district the flood waters of the Mofongo River are washing high over the bridges providing access from Queanbeyan to Canberra. Trains are cancelled, and telegraphic nnd telephonic communication with Canberra is interrupted. Lines which are normally thirty feet above the river, are washed away. A man at Canberra was drowned through his ear falling into deep wat°r. Between Bungendore and Goulburn the country is flooded for miles. At Moruya official reports say the wind reached a velocity of from 64 to 75 miles an hour. The rainfall during the twenty-four hours was 1084 points. I The Shoal Haven River is rising. The I wharf and boatshed are already submerged.