Flood Waters Race Through Lismore

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29872, 12 July 1962, Page 11

Flood Waters Race Through Lismore

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, July 11.

Flood waters, 7ft deep in places, were racing through the northern New South Wales coastal town of Lismore today.

By noon, more than 250 persons had been evacuated from their homes. They were being billeted ’ in halls and houses on higher ground. The Lismore postmaster, Mr J. Jordan, speaking from an upper floor in the post office building, said the entire business area of the city was flooded, and the nearest dry land was one mile away. Sydney was swept by galeforce winds last night and today. High cross-winds at Kingsford Smith airport caused a Qantas Boeing 707 jet flying to Sydney from

Fiji to be diverted to Adelaide.

The highest rainfall recorded in New South Wales in the 24 hours to 9 am today was 1776 points at Dorrigo, about 60 miles south of Lismore. Other nearby centres recorded 1120 and 688 points.

The Richmond river at Lismore was at 39ft 9in this morning, and was expected to reach a peak level of 42ft later today.

Two Army amphibious vehicles reached Lismore today and are helping in the rescue work. A floodboat took a woman who is expecting a child today more than two miles across the flooded parts of Lismore to the local hospital.

Downstream heavy flooding at two. other towns, Coraki and Woodburn, has caused many persons to leave their houses The Clarence river rose rapidly this afternoon, and 200 families left their homes at South Grafton.

At Kyogle, the Richmond river reached 54ft early today, and is expected to reach 60ft later today—l2ft above the danger level. Persons have left more than 50 houses in lower parts of the town.

At Coraki, the main street was several inches under water today. The cyclone, which hit the northern New South Wales coast two days ago. is now moving out to sea, but heavy rain is still falling on many areas.

No human deaths or injuries have been reported, but stock losses are expected to be heavy in some areas.