Mining towns hit as cyclone passes

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 10 December 1975, Page 22

Mining towns hit as cyclone passes

<S Z Press Anil—Copi/rtynt> . PERTH. Dec. 9. Cyclone Joan, which battered Port Hedland yesterday. «a> blowing itself out over the Hamersley Ranges today. But the mining towns of Mount Tom Price and Paraburdoo were also lashed as it nassed. All night fierce winds and torrential rain lashed the town, but only a few trees were uprooted Sergeant A J. Doyle of the Mount Tom Price police said today” "Most of the buildings ■re of brick and capable of withstanding quite a big blow. "We were quite prepared for Joan. The Tom Price

i Motor Hotel closed at six and so did all industry. Torrential rain was still falling in Tom Price late today although the wind had abated — but there is a strong risk of local flooding i<n the town. Dry creek beds are overflowing and the roads are becoming more flooded by the hour. At Paraburdoo, 80 kilo-; metres away, gales and rainj swept the town. ‘■Luckily, the cyclone seems to be losing strength all the time.’' a policeman said. “Only a few trees were bowled over. According to the latest report Joan seems to be on a south-east course along the Hamersley Ranges.” The Paraburdoo Airport is I closed until further notice! and all roads out of Paraburdoo are closed. Although the Tom Price' mine began operating again at 8 a.m.. the Paraburdoo ; mine is still closed because' of strong gales. Schools in both towns re-! mained closed today.