RAIN AND FLOODS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 9

RAIN AND FLOODS

WIDESPREAD DAMAGE IN AUSTRALIA LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED FAMILIES DRIVEN FROM HOMES By Telegraph — PkTss association. Copyright. Sydney, February 18. Rain, accompanied by stormy weather all along the coast, is delaying shipping. Arriving vessels report rough, stormy seas. The latest news from Crafton states that the river is rising rapidly, and a big flood is feared. The water continues to rise in all the flood areas. The meteorologist predicts still further rain. The position is very serious. Constable Alpin, while crossing Grady’s Creek, in the Kyogle district, on a log, slipped off and was drowned. The police, instructed by the Weather Bureau, warn all residents along the Clarence River of the possibility of more serious flooding. Most of the farmers have removed their ■ stock to the higher ground. (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, February 19. With a continuance of copious rains over a great part of the Commonwealth, floods and consequent damage to crops and property are reported in all directions. Several lives are reported to have been lost. At Grafton the Clarence River invaded the town. The water is 18 inches deep in parts of the main street, and in the lower portions ot the town it is still deeper. Residents spent a feverish night removing goods belonging to business places and houses. Water brigades, busily engaged watching the rising of the waters, had to remove marooned inhabitants from some of the houses. Along the river valley large areas of crops and much stock have been destroyed, many residents being driven from their homes. The electric supply is threatened and the town will probably be plunged in darkness. . The river last night slightly receded, but as further rain has fallen and much flood water has still to come down from the upper reaches, worse conditions are expected. The river is a mile wide at Grafton and the wharves are submerged. Over a hundred families along the valley have been driven from their homes. At Murwillumbah many people had to evacuate their homes. An unconfirmed report states that besides Constable Alpin two other men have been drowned. Another man named Barnes was drowned. Farmers on the Island of Forbes report that a man named Stephenson, in attempting to swim the flooded Macquarie River, lost his life. Passengers by an express train which left Melbourne on Thursday reached Sydney last night. They were marooned at Cootommundra owing to line washaways. Numerous washawavs and consequent dislocation of traffic have occurred, and road traffic generally is at a standstill.

In the Ardlethan district the township of Beckon is completely inundated and the inhabitants are marooned, the only partially dry place being the hotel, which is a two-storied building, where the residents are crowded, camped on tables and other points of vantage. At Ardlethan similar conditions prevail. Big floods are swelling down the Hunter, Patterson and Williams Rivers and valleys, causing widespread ruin. Newcastle is preparing to meet the flood when the waters reach the town. The Hawkesbury River has overflowed miles of the rich flats in the valley, devastating big stretches of corn and vegetables. A number of residents were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge. The outlook generally is very ominous. More rain, which at present has temporarily ceased, is promised. VESSELS LEAVE BRISBANE WHARVES (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Brisbane, February 7 19. Unceasing heavy rain over the Brisbane River basin has caused a rapid rise of water in the upper reaches. Fearing a flood when this water arrives in the already swollen lower reaches, all vessels have been ordered to leave the city wharves by midnight. Other rivers also are flooding extensively. DAMAGE IN NORTH WALES London, February 17. Heavy floods are occurring in North Wales, the Border Counties, and a portion of Derbyshire, following fifty hours of rain. At Corwen many were rescued from the top stories of houses. Railways were damaged and traffic held up and stock drowned. A fishing vessel was wrecked off St. Kilda Island. Twelve of the crew of sixteen were drowned—Sydney “Sun” Cable.