PHENOMENAL RAINS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 9

PHENOMENAL RAINS

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIAN STATES CLOUDBURST NEAR NARRANDERA MUCH DAMAGE REPORTED Phenomenal rains, with accompanying damaging floods, are being experienced in several Australian States. Heavy rain is still falling, particularly in New South Wales, and serious damage is reported from many centres. Railway traffic is generally dislocated, and if the rain continues more serious damage is feared. BY 'Telegraph.— press ASSOCIATION. Copyright Sydney, February 16. Terrific rainstorms are being experienced in the Riverina district. Many washaways on the railways are reported. The town of Ganmain is flooded, and trains between Sydney and Melbourne are unable to get through. Heavy rain is still falling over the whole of New South Wales. In the lowlying portion of Ganmain there is four feet of water. A number of shops are flooded, and the water is still rising. The railway yards at Junee are under water. A message from Coolamon at an early hour this morning stated that rain was falling at the rate of an inch per hour, with no signs of cessation. At Narrandera an inch and a half of rain fell in 35 minutes. It has been raining continuously in Sydney all night. Following further heavy rain, floods are reported in the valley of the Clarence River. The water invaded many homes in the low-lying portion of South Grafton, where boats were used to rescue the inmates, while thousands of acres of farm and grazing lands along the valley are under water and severe damage has been caused to crops and property. The body of an unknown man, a victime of the flood, has been discovered. At the latest report the waters were falling. Kempsey also reports a flood, several residents being compelled to leave their homes. A number of stock were drowned in the flooded areas. Splendid rains were experienced on the pastoral country, out west. Wentworth reports nearly five inches, The town is partially flooded. Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland all report soaking rains, with floods, railway and road washouts, and considerable damage to property and crops m some districts. FIREMAN DROWNED Adelaide, February 16. Floods caused several washaways in the Adelaide-Broken Hill railway The engine overturned in the water in one of the breaks, and the fireman (Middleton), pinned underneath, was drowned. The rest of the crew escaped. HEAVY RAINS CONTINUE DAMAGING FLOODS REPORTED CLOUDBURST NEAR NARRANDERA (Rec. February 17, 10.50 p.tn.) Sydney, February 17. Heavy /rainfalls continue throughout the State, and many places report floods and serious damage. The town of junee is flooded, and bodies of drowned cows are floating in the low-lying streets. The electric light plant is damaged and the town is in partial darkness. Water invaded many houses. The railway is deeply under water and traffic is suspended. The Melbourne expresses to and from Svdnev are held up by a big washaway. The Clarence River is again rising and threatens to flood KJrafton. A cloudburst occurred near Narrandera, and-torrential rain resulted in houses and shops in the lower districts being deeply flooded. Ganmain reports that residents in thirty houses have been driven out by flood waters. Ardleton reports three feet of water in the main street. Rescue parties took residents front houses along the creeks in the vicinity of the town. ilt Cootaniundra over five hundred overland train passengers are waiting for repairs to railway washaways in order to resume their journey. Several minor derailments are reported owing to washaways, but no fatalities. There is geneal dislocation of railway traffic. Rivers are rising everywhere, and worse floods are anticipated. MUCH DAMAGE IN QUEENSLAND (Rec. February 17, 10.50 p.m.) Brisbane, February 17. The Burnett River is in high flood. At Minto it formed a lake miles wide and swept away maize and cotton crops and miles of fencing, and encroached on dwellings. Other places along the river valley report similar destruction. Other rivers are also flooding, causing widespread destruction. Much stock has been drowned.