STORMS IN AUSTRALIA

Evening Star, Issue 21318, 24 January 1933, Page 7

STORMS IN AUSTRALIA

TORRENTIAL RAIN IK NEW SOUTH WALES

SEVEN PEOPLE DROWNED

Prsss Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

SYDNEY, January 23

During the terrific storm which lashed the coast from 2 o’clock until dawn seven people were drowned, while others were gallantly rescued, when flood waters rushed on the valley at Stanwell Park and overwhelmed camping parties. Those who arc dead include a father, mother, and three children, and two brothers of another family—namely, Vincent Davis (aged forty), his wife (aged 38), and their sons (Vincent 13, Leslie 9, and Jack 2), and Jack Phyllis (12) and his brother Allen (8). Following torrential rain on the beach a lagoon near where the tents were erected overflowed. Some of the campers fought their way up a steep hill to seek shelter at the railway station. The Davis family and the Phyllis brothers were left marooned and suddenly the tent was blown down. Davis then used a ropo which formed part of the tent fastenings to tie his family by their wrists to a tree. The two Phyllis boys, whose camp was washed away, sought shelter with the Davis family, and Davis also tied them to the rest of the party. Then, strapping his baby Clifford to his shoulders, Davis plunged into the water in an attempt to reach land 50yds away and thus secure help. Neither he nor the baby was seen again. The force of the water was so great that the rope holding the other members of the family to the tree snapped, and they were swept towards the sea. The rope around Laurel Davis’s wrist became entangled in a fallen tree and saved her life.

Gordon Thompson, aged seventeen, made five attempts to swim through the boiling torrent before he finally dragged her ashore. The island meanwhile became completely submerged. The body of Mrs Davis has been recovered, and two others have been seen in the surf.

RAINFALL FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS

SYDNEY, January 23,

Following are some of the rainfall readings for twenty-four hours up to 9 o’clock to-day:—At Waterfall 24in, largely between 2 and 5 this morning; at Randwick lOJin; at Bexley Biin; at Earlwood over 84; at Mascot Gin.

HUNDREDS OF HOMES FLOODED

RAILWAYS INTERRUPTED

SYDNEY. January 23

Later reports indicate that the result of last night’s rain is the most serious for years. Hundreds of homes are flooded at Waterloo, Alexandria, and neighbouring suburbs. People awoke to find their beds almost awash. A cyclonic gale added to the miseries of the situation. A number of large shop windows near the central railway station were smashed, and train services were delayed on many lines by accumulated water on low-lying spots. The railways were interrupted both on the southern and lllawarra lines, tho latter being badly affected for fifteen to twenty miles. Coogee and Kensington ovals were turned into lakes, water entering the neighbouring houses. The Nepean River rose 14ft at Penrith, where the water was 3ft deep in the main street. Liverpool is isolated as far as road traffic is concerned.

Coastal shipping movements were hampered during tho early hours, and the weather bureau warns shipping that wild weather is still expected around the New South Wales coast. Six campers were rescued from a flooded island in George’s River by a boat which was rushed from Liverpool on a lorry. Many camps were washed away, and the occupants spent a perilous time awaiting daylight. A whole family was trapped in a cottage which was engulfed in a landslide at Helensburgh, a small mining town on the lllawarra lino, and a boy of fifteen was smothered. Rescuers are working feverishly to save others;

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE REPORTED

SYDNEY, January 23

Railway reports show that extensive damage has been caused throughout the State, and many services arc interrupted. The Brisbane mail and the Glen Innes mail are held up at Worry’s Creek owing to washaways, the line being swept away in patches over a distance of eleven miles. The State Meteorologist forecasts further heavy falls, with a danger of floods in all coastal rivers. Light rain continues to fall in Sydney to-night.

MAN KILLED BY LIGHTNING HAWKESBURY RIVER IN FLOOD. SYDNEY, January 23. The damage in the city and suburbs to homes, shipping, and other property cannot at present be estimated, but it will probably exceed £50,000. Two small children who were playing in a storm-water channel at Canterbury were swept away by the onrush of water, but a man, fully clothed, rushed in and brought them out, barely conscious. The Ilamlwick racecourse is submerged to a depth of 2ft. The Hawkesbury River rose 18ft in eight hours today, and Richmond settlers were yrarned of fie danger of at flood*. Tie