N.S.W. FLOODS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1929, Page 5

N.S.W. FLOODS

DOWNPOUR CONTINUES. (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, February 11. The coastal areas of New South Wales are getting the worst drenching for years. There has been a regular deluge at Sydney since Friday, and it is still raining, nearly six inches falling in four days. Further rain occurred on the North Coast, and there is no sign of abatement. Another' Manning River farmer was drowned. Appalling losses are reported of dairy cattle and maize crops. LIGHTNING AND FIREBALL. SYDNEY, February 12. The fourth death from drowning occurred at Manning River, as the result of the floods. Great damage has been done in the Middle and North Coast district. The losses sustained by farmers on the Manning will amount to more than £250,000. The river reached the highest point on record. The lives of many families were endangered in the Taree district. They were rescued by members of the Surf Club in a surf-boat. The flood waters have subsided rapidly, and services have been restored on the North Coast railway line. During a thunderstorm near Lismore, C. White was milking a cow when lightning killed the animal instantly. White was knocked unconscious. C. Crowther, working on the same farm, was rendered unconscious owing to a fireball striking the ground between his feet. On a nearby concrete wall were marks of five separate missiles from the clouds. HEAVY FALLS RECORDED. (Received February 12, 12.18 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 12. The rainfalls recorded on the North Coast over the week-end- are: Beilingen 16 ins, Macksville 12ins, Kempsey 24ins, Wauchope 30ins, and Taree 23ins.