APPALLING SUDDEN FLOOD DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 20129, 20 March 1929, Page 6

APPALLING SUDDEN FLOOD DISASTER

Waist Deep Stream Near City’s Centre Leith Again Lays Waste Northern Area Water Still Deep in Some Houses Rescue Work Throughout Night Taieri and Burnside Flooded Washouts on Railways, North and South Tragedy on Central Line \ Tim; flood which swept Dunedin and environs yesterday was as sudden as disastrous. Lp to 3 p.m.. though rain was persist out and heavy, there was no threat of flood, but by o o clock the Leith had leapt ils banks and was descending upon the northern area, Concord Creek was pouring down Cavcrsham tunnel into the southern suburb, and there was every indication of a repetition of the. floods of 19*23. So lar as the northern area is concerned, it has proved probably even more damaging. Between 9 o'clock and 2 a.in. a big band of workers—police, naval men from the Dunedin, social workers, and .firemen—were hard at it removing people from (heir homes in A\oodhaugh, Northeast Valiev, and Harbour terrace, where in places there were -Ift to bit ol water. Some of the work was highly dangerous, the flood waters moving like a river current. In one instance it took six men to carry one woman clear, and then one 01. the rescuers was carried off his feet and swept' down many yards. inwards 11 o'clock the Leith waters, marching via Cumberland and Castle streets, were as far citywards as St. Andrew street, and later, from Castle, street, (hoy invaded Lower High street as far as the Queen's Gardens. This morning there were still bit ot water and debris in St. Andrew street. The southern suburbs escaped more lightly than in 1923, but here, too, many houses were flooded, and there is much damage reported. Train services were badly hit. The south express last evening had to return from Mosgiel, owing to breaks further south, but a special got away this morning, carrying the Premier and his party to the complimentary banquet at Invercargill. The north line is still blocked by a big break at Mihiwaka. There was m tragedy on the Central line, the leading engine ol a goods (rain yesterday afternoon plunging into u gap, and the fireman losing his Isle. Taieri is under water, but (he settlers were well warned, ami liltD loss ol slock is reported.