A TERRIBLE STORM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4772, 25 January 1887, Page 3

A TERRIBLE STORM.

ENORMOUS LOSS OF PROPERTY. MANY LIVES LOST. 15 FEET OF WATER IN STREETS. A PREMIER IN DANGER. Brisbane, to-day. During the great storms that were experienced in this city and district on Thursday and Friday last over 20 inches of rain fell, 17 of which fell during Friday. This was the greatest rainfall that has been kn jwn here during the same time for 25 years. The rivers and wharves were flooded, and an immense amount of damage has been done to goods which were lying on the wharves, and very large quantities of timber were carried down the river from the various timber yards and wharves. Thia has drifted out to sea and been lost. Howard Smith and Co., the principal shipping agents, succeeded in removing the bulk of their goods to places of safety before the water rose too high. All the cellars of stores iv the vicinity of the river were flooded to a depth (if several feet. Immense lakes were formed in different parts of the suburbs, and in one place eight houses with their contents were totally washed away and broken to pieces by the force of the torronts of water. The chief sufferers are many of tho poorer inhabitants, whose houses were situated irf tho moro low-lying parts of the town. The police rendered most valuable assistanco, in some oases swimming to the relief of the sufferers. Five deaths from drowning have already been reported in Brisbano and tho suburbs, others are missing, and many have been seriously injured. It is feared also that many must have been drowned in the country. The greatest difficulty has been ex - perienced in conveying provisions to many of the houses in the suburbs, some of which are rendered entirely isolated by the water. Goods which were stored in those suburbs have all been completely destroyed. The rain ceased on Saturda}', and on Sunday no rain fell, though the weather looked threatening in towu. At Ipswich the amount of rain which fell was equal to that which fell in Brisbane. It is reported from there that in tho principal streets the water is fifteen feet deep. Telegraphic communication with Ipswich has been interrupted till to day. Mr Griffiths, tho Premier, who had started overland from Ipswich for this city, was compelled to return to Ipswich, which ho only reached with the greatest difficulty, having narrowly escaped with his life. All the shipping traffic has been suspended in consequence of the bad weather outside the heads. Traffic in the town and suburbs has also been entirely suspended sinco Friday Mr Wragge, Government Astronomer, has given warning of a cyclone, which is likely to extend to Central Queeensland.