HEAT, FLOOD, TORNADO

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 5

HEAT, FLOOD, TORNADO

ABNORMAL WEATHER CAUSES HAVOC IN AUSTRALIA HOTTEST JULY ON RECORD CHURCHES, HALLS, AND HOUSES DESTROYED IN VICTORIA Abnormally hot weather in Australia has been followed in West Australia by floods, and in Victoria by a tornado, which swept across the west of the State, causing enormous damage.

By Telegraph.—Pres.; Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, June 23. The tornado which swept through the south-western district of Victoria is described as being about 300 yards wide. The most serious damage occurred in Highton and Belmont, to the south of Geelong. It is known that at Belmont seven completed houses and two in the course of erection were destroyed. Two others were unroofed. At Highton two churches, two halls, houses and other buildings were destroyed. Many sensational incidents are reported from various parts of the affected districts, but owing to the roads being blocked by fallen trees particulars are not yet available. Many orchards in the vicinity of Sorrento were destroyed. Large hailstones fell at Morington, breaking most cf the windows in the town. Telegraphic communication with Melbourne is delayed owing to most of the wires being down. Relief parties are searching the district for other injured victims. The only death so far is that of Normand Munyard, aged 6, of Belmont, who was killed when a house collapsed. GEELONG DISTRICT SUFFERS (Received July 23, 8.53 p.m.) Tlie tornado followed the hottest July day for 50 years. It swept the whole western district of tho State from Wnrrnambool to Colac, travelling east. The storm was mainly vivid lightning and thunder, but from Colac to Geelong there wore winds reaching the hurricane force, which caused immense damage. At a rough estimate, the dam- -

age done in the outer suburbs of Geelong alone is at least £IOO,OOO. FREMANTLE BRIDGE FALLS PERTH, July 28. The Hoods continue unabated. The bridge across the Swan river, at Fremantle, which forms the main connection between Fremantle and the rest of the State, collapsed. A passenger train passed over the- bridge five minvitch bofoio fell. Already many families have had to leave their homes. In some places the tiadesmen aro doing tliu rounds- in boats. MAN MOTORS INTO RIVER (Received July 23, 8.55 p.m.) Tlie Hood waters are everywhere sJowly receding. The total damage is extremely heavy, but there has been only one fatality, as the waters rose slowly. Tt has been the most phenomenal rainfall for many years, but the losses of stock are light. A fatality occurred at South Perth, where George Richardson, the controller of a group settlement, missed his way in the storm, and drove liis motor-car into the Swan river and was drowned. SYDNEY FEELS THE HEAT SYDNEY, July 23. Abnormally warm weather for this time of the year has been experienced in New South Wales. Many high temperatures are reported in country centres. At Sydney yesterday tho thermometer reached 78.3 degree**, the highest ever recorded for July. Earlier in the week the minimum temperature was 42.1,