FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 568, 17 May 1913, Page 5

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION. MANY ESCAPES FROM DROWNING. By Telegraph.—Press Association.- Copyngnt, Received this day, 8.45 a.m. Sydney, This Day. Communication beyond Singleton is cut off. The Brisbane express iB still held up. Breaks in various other places will probably be restored before Monday or Tuesday. Though the water is now falling, the whole of the low-lying lands along the Hunter river and valley are deeply flooded. The losses of crops and stock and the damage to property are very heavy. Water invaded the streets and many houses in Singleton were flooded to a depch of three feet. The people, warned by fire bells, removed their goods and fled for safety to hotels and public buildings. All vehicular traffic is suspended and businesa is at a standstill. Boats plied High street, and rescued several from drowning. Many narrow escapes are reported. The country is strewn with articles washed from the houses, including vegetables, dead animals, and debris of all kinds. Several houses collapsed and were washed bodily away. At Bulahdehar there was six feet of water in the main street, and the residents were rescued in boats. Muswelbrook, Gloucester, Dungog, and many other towns suffered severely, and the residents are heavy losers. The devastation of farms is general. Mail communication is suspended.