FLOODS IN HOLLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16593, 17 January 1916, Page 6

FLOODS IN HOLLAND

SEVERAL TOWNS UNDER WATER. POPULATION ESCAPE IN BOATS. SERIOUS LOSS OF CATTLE. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 15. (Received Jan. 16, at 5.5 p.m.) The whole of North Holland is in danger of being flooded owing to the bursting of the Zuyder Zee dykes at various places. Many people have fled to Edam and other town's. Volan/iam is entirely flooded, and the water is pouring in with terrific force at Broek. A storm caused a tidal wave, destroying railway communication with South Holland. AMSTERDAM, January 15. (Received Jan. 16, at 5.5 p.m.) A great storm, accompanied by the most serious of floods, has been experienced in Northern Holland. The population was awakened by alarm bells, and were terrorstricken to find they were confronted with waters rushing through the streets and into the houses. Soldiers and civilians vied with each other to prevent the extension of the flood. Volendam is completely isolated, Marken is entirely submerged, and Monnickenzam is partially under water. It is feared that the whole of North Holland will be inundated. A dyke near Muiden broke at two o'clock in the morning, flooding the streets. The people spent the night combating the flood. Similar inundations took place at Broek, where the water poured' over the dyke with a noise like thunder. Some houses have been swept away, and the population fled in boats. Many cattle have been drowned in the low-lying country. At Broek and Edam the cattle have been stalled in the churches, where the people are also taking refuge. There was great confusion in Hoovn. Naarden, Buik, and Sloot, following the alarm given by the bells ringing in the midst of the darkness and the storm.