8.20 Inch Rainfall At Broadwood; River Rises 20 Feet

Northern Advocate, 15 January 1940, Page 6

8.20 Inch Rainfall At Broadwood; River Rises 20 Feet

[Special to "Northern Advocate"'] BROADWOOD, This Day. Heavy rain all day Saturday from 9.30 a.m. caused serious flooding at Broadwood. All river flats were inundated. The Broadwood river rose over 20 feet, the highest in history. Mr. Dick Hawkin’s cowshed was partially demolished. Water entered the home of Mr. Geo. Harris, senr., doing considerable damage. The Harris Bridge was six feet under water at the peak, blocking ing southbound traffic until early Sunday morning. Bridges under construction by Mr. Ross White suffered severely and most of the work will have to be renewed. A large swing bridge leading to Mr. Sam Carmen’s home was completely washed away. Mr. James Mackenzie, whose property is on Waitara River, which joins the Broadwood River at Broadwood, lost 20 valuable stud ewes. All Roads Now Open. Mr. Eric Carmen had the misfortune of seeing his new season’s haystack washed downstream. Mr. James McGrath had to hurriedly remove stock to points of safety. His cowshed and also Mr. Carmen’s were surrounded by 4 feet of water. The flood waters subsided rapidly, and by midnight had fallen to safety level. Washouts, bridges and minor slips were repaired on Sunday, allowing traffic to proceed as normal. The postmaster reports that 8.20 inches of rain fell for the 24 hours from 9 a.m. Saturday.