FLOODS AND STORMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 36

FLOODS AND STORMS.

THE QUEENSLAND DISASTER. Muttaburra towwship. is flooded, cutting off all communication with Northern Queensland. Tho Mackay Standard of Saturday, January 26, stated that the break in the fine weather occurred on January 4. When the cyclone struck the town on January 19 it was blowing from tho south, but later it blew from tho east, and then from the north, and it was to this last change that the great extent of tho damage was due. The main ) portion of the town was reduced to ruins, scarcely one building escaping. The cyclone continued with unabated force for 14 hours. Tho rainfall for the previous 18 days had been nearly 4ft. So far 19 bodies have been recovered. It is understood that Townsville escaped. Coastal shipping services are becoming normal.

'there was a further rise of the waters of the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton, on the 30th, claiming further victims. Rescue parties have saved many families. Attempts to communicate with Marlborough and St. Lawrence failed. The damage caused by tho floods at Mackay is estimated at £15,000 (? £150,000). The total casualties number 120, including 20 deaths. At least 12,000 tons of sugar was lost. On the Ist the flood waters were still rising at Rockhampton. Owing to tho insanitary conditions as tho result of the flood, pestilence is feared at Mackay. Every building along the waterfront was damaged almost beyond repair, and every vessel in the river at the tinie of the tidal wave, oxcepting one, was wrecked or carried-over tho banks and deposited in the scrub. Tho water is full of dead animals and bircb, and the stench is terriblei Rockhampton is crowded with refugees, whom the police are still bringing in or relieving. s A message from Proserpine >stat,es that a reord flood and cyclone have been experienced there, causing enormous damage, but no casualties. The Fitzroy River (Maryborough district) is now falling. ON THE NEW SOUTH WALES COAST. A cyclonic storm developed along the coast of Now South Wales, causing gales, heavy rain, and rough seas. Fortunately Sydney missed tho greatest force. Heavy general rains fell. Coming on top of tho already rainy season, considerable damage was done to tho fruit and wheat crops. DAMAGE AT MELBOURNE. A violent cyclonio storm on Saturday afternoon did much damage in Melbourne and suburbs, a number of buildings being wrecked and many unroofed. A boy was killed by the collapse of tea-rooms at Brighton, and another was drowned at St. Kilda. It is estimated that the storm damage will exceed £IOO,OOO. The storm, which was of tremendous force, lasted only a few minutes. Tho damage is chiefly confined to Brighton, whore there was wholesale wreckage, whereas in tho city itself and the other suburbs the damage was light. Several people were injured by falling debris. The tempest which wrecked Brighton is now developing along the south coast, and was expected to reach Sydney on the sth. Shipping roports terrific weather. Fears are entertained regarding tho fate of the steamer Marjorie, with a crew of 15, which left Adelaido in company with the Glaucua

on January Zo. The Giaueus arrived at Newcastle un Friday, but nothing nas been heard of the Marjor-ie. MR WRAGGE'S WARNING, AUCKLAND, February 4. Mr Clement \\ ragge m.s issued tne lollowjjig loiocast: "iitmospnenc conditions are very perturbed w.thui the lower laittudos, especially over all that region between WiiaJigarei and North Uupe, tuo ivermadecs, xouga, r;ji, j\e\v Caledonia, -\orloik Island, and tuc coasts ot (.jjueonsland and New !>outh Wales. Cio.-.-u watch snouid be kept on tJie barometer, and it it laia Jialt a tenth in halt an Hour rough weather may be expected. Xiie disastrous storms in coupled with hoods, are sufficient indication of the general typo ot weather, and m various parts of tno eastern half ot Australia there probably will be a. renewal ot suou belore April J.. Hence every precaution should be taken. As stated in January, tue coast oi Western Australia north from Smirk Bay may bo affected by winds of the hurr.oanc type. I am' confirmed in the opinion that tno southern edges of the tropical disturbances will pass further south than usual, and their 'penumbras' may even extend to the Bay of Plenty and liawke's Bay under currents from between south-east, east, north; east, and north, shifting westerly, blowing strong and with very considerable rainfall before two months have elapsed, '.these conditions are mainly due, as before stated, to abnormal solar influence."