FREAK WEATHER IN WIDELY SCATTERED PARTS OF AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27213, 17 October 1949, Page 5

FREAK WEATHER IN WIDELY SCATTERED PARTS OF AUSTRALIA

NZPA—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 16. Freak weather conditions are reported from widely-scattered parts of Australia. A cloudburst in the Murrurundi district of New South Wales caused washouts and two landslides on the main railway line in Northern New South Wales, halting all traffic until to-morrow. Flood waters four feet deep swirled through the New England district, sweeping groceries, mercery and showcases from the Murrurundi shopping district into the street Twelve miles to the north a Catholic church was swept from its foundations and carried -into the middle of the main highway. Serious flooding is feared at Mushwell Brook, Singleton, and Maitland. Sydney suffered gales of hurricane force, which capsized harbour craft late yesterday afternoon, throwing at least 200 competing yachtsmen into the harbour. Most of the men swam to the shore, and the others were picked up by police and private launches.

In Western and Central Queensland torrential rain caused flooding, which isolated hundreds of<J people in homesteads. Rising waters threaten many lives in the area of Mitchell township, where the dam may burst. The police are engaged in moving people from the danger area. At Charleville, the Warrego River is at its highest level since 1902.

South Australia reports violent gales, which yesterday forced the liner Orcades back to sea after she made an unsuccessful attempt to berth at Port Adelaide. She left the harbour to avoid crashing into a freighter. Late last night she managed to get alongside safely.