MURRAY RIVER FLOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 13

MURRAY RIVER FLOOD

MILDURA BANK BROKEN LOW AREAS EVACUATED [from our own correspondent] MELBOURNE, Oct. 19 When the Murray "River broke through the lovee at Mildura a few nights ago 100 persons living in lowlying areas had to flee for their lives. Police and civilians, using boats, rescued some who had hesitated to leave. All furniture was removed in trucks just before the last avenue for escape was cut off. Heavy rains hi surrounding districts had caused tributaries to flood the river, which rose 3£ft. above danger level. The Murray, for many miles of its length, divides Victoria and New South Wales. The levee broke on the Victorian side. Warning of the danger was conveyed by the tolling of the firebell at 8 p.m., and a local wireless station broadcast an urgent appeal for rescuers to save about 100 men, women and children in the danger area. In a few minutes nearly 100 motor-cars and trucks were rushing to the scene, and rescue work was carried out in the glare of headlights. Al4 furniture was stacked on high ground. Children; separated from their parents, wept while waiting to be claimed. Some families were reluctant to leave. i"You can't blame us for staying as long as we can," said one woman, "because when this goes we will have no home at all." Victims were housed at the City Oval. Boy Scouts brought food, and members of the rowing club filled sandbags to stein the flood of water where the worst break occurred. Twenty-five homes—little more than huts—were partly filled wtih water and appear to bo in ultimate danger of collapse. Distressed residents, many of them unemployed, presented a pathetic sight. The danger has been lessened by repairs to the levee, but if further floods occur it may be impossible for the distressed residents to return to thenhomes.