FLOODS & STORMS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 73, 10 March 1930, Page 5

FLOODS & STORMS

DAMAGE IN AUSTRALIA CROPS, HOUSES AND FENCES. SOUTH AFRICAN RIVERS BECOME RAGING TORRENTS. [Drifted Frees Association—By SableCopyright.] (Received 10, 11.25 a.m.) < Perth, March 10. A fierce electrical-storm swept the south-eastern agricultural districts and caused extensive damage to crops, houses and fences. A strip of country twenty miles long by five miles wide was laid bare at Pingally. A 100-miles an hour gale swept the town, unroofing houses, razing fences and hundreds of trees. Nearly every home in the district suffered damage. Many creeks were flooded by torrential rains and are running bank high. At Narrabeen 30 chains of railway have been washed away. HOUSES CARRIED AWAY. ELEVEN DEATHS REPORTED. (United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) Capetown, March 8. Following heavy rains In the Drakenberge mountains, the Great and Little Bushman rivers became raging torrents and! swept over the Eastcourt district. A bridge collapsed with a deafening roar and houses were carried down stream.

Eleven deaths are reported and more are feared. A European in evening dress returning from a dance went to the rescue of a family of Indians. He waded neck deep in water and carried the occupants of the house, including several children, to safety. His motor was swept away.

A native constable in another place put his family on tho roof and climbed a tree himself. He then saw his wife and children disappear. Another family at Eastcourt vanished with their bouse. Communication with northern Natal was interrupted for twelve hours. THE FRENCH DISASTER. SHOCKING STORIES. (United Press Assoclation-By CableCopyright.l Paris, March 7. Eye-witnesses report that the flooded area is even more horrible to contemplate than tho shell-shattered departments in 1914-18. Tho breakdown of communications is serious, and tho problem of feeding is most acute. Aeroplanes are dropping parcels into villages surrounded by water, as tho current is too swift to allow boats to live. Shocking stories continue to come in of poor wretches carried away under the eyes of would-be rescuers. A woman clinging to a chimney was gradually submerged in the water without a cry or struggle. Bridges over the Garonne are collapsing under the floods, but the waters generally are receding. Districts which have been 30 feet under water are now only submerged nine feet. It is estimated that full reconstruction will occupy years. The plans include a scheme of afforestation, designed to safeguard against another inundation. The sacrifice of most of tho woods in war time is considered to be largely responsible for the disaster. There are conflicting accounts of the death roll. Some reports state 700, but an official check indicates at least 500 dead. DAY OF MOURNING. [UnPed Press Association—By CableCopyright.! (Received 10, 2.35 p.m.) Paris, March 9. A day of mourning was held throughout France for the flood victims. Flags were flown at half mast, members of tho Government cancelled public engagements and social ceremonies were postponed, It is estimated that the damage will reach £12.000,000. Despite the magnitude of the disaster it is expected that the National Fund and governmental grants will be sufficient to repair the damage. Between Montauban and Moissac many people are still mnrooned on the housetops.