FLOOD DANGER

Southland Times, Issue 22216, 8 January 1934, Page 5

FLOOD DANGER

NEW SOUTH WALES

MANY PLACES UNDER WATER

VIOLENT LIGHTNING

(United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.35 p.m.) Sydney, January 7. A month of unseasonable and capricious weather in the eastern States of Australia culminated in a cyclonic storm in the inland areas. Torrential rain fell on the eastern coast yesterday and there is now grave danger from floods in southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. Similar conditions obtain on the north coast of New South Wales where many places are under water feet deep. Violent lightning yesterday struck the Goulburn Council’s sewerage works and caused heavy damage to concrete tanks.

A married woman was killed by lightning at Lithgow. Reports are arriving in Sydney of extensive damage to fruit and tomato crops.

Most of the sporting fixtures yesterday were spoilt by soaking rain, while the humidity was extremely high. Lightning set fire to crops on Swan Hill, Victoria, and also caused minor damage to homes in Coburg, South Yarra and St. Kilda.

During the progress of sailing races in tire harbour yesterday, no fewer than 43 eighteen and 16-footers overturned in a violent easterly squall and choppy water. It is estimated that 125 men were in the water at one stage, the majority clinging to floating masts and other gear. The fact that several were not drowned was due to the promptness of the water police, patrol launches and passing ferryboats. Several of the larger yacht’s masts snapped like matchwood. The weather was finer to-day but extremely humid. The surfing beaches were literally thronged with bathers. A shark attacked a young man, a member of a lifesaving club at Quecnscliff, near Manly and he was so badly mauled on one leg that amputation was imperative. The captain of the club is to-night giving blood transfusion in the hope of saving his life.