STORM AT MELBOURNE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 January 1941, Page 8

STORM AT MELBOURNE

HEAVY RAIN EFFECTS. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. January 16, 9 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 16. The fiercest electrical storm experienced in Melbourne, for a quarter of a century, swept the city last night, accompanied by torrential rain, flooding all the city streets to a depth of a foot or more. Strange scenes were witnessed as the fast running streams of flood water converged at intersections, sweeping over the running boards of cars and trams, which were unable to proceed. The water swirled oyer the footpaths, and was inches high in shopfronts. Pedestrians were forced to splash a way to shelter on high places, such as the Post Office steps, and theatre vestibules. Thousands of pounds damage was done to flooded shop basements. A large part of the telephone system was disorganised by flooded tunnels. The water poured down the stairways of Flinders Street railway station, flooding the subways to a depth of two feet.

The storm lasted only half-an-hour, but it is estimated that an inch of rain fell. Large areas in the suburbs were inundated. Fire brigade detachments are busy all ovei’ the city, pumping out flooded cellars. . ‘ .