DEATH AND RUIN

Southland Times, Issue 22218, 10 January 1934, Page 5

DEATH AND RUIN

TERRIFIC STORM

HAVOC IN AUSTRALIA

WIDESPREAD FLOODING TOWNSHIP IN DANGER (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney, January 9. Two more deaths and damage estimated at thousands of pounds occurred as a result of terrific storms which ravaged the southern half of New South Wales and Victoria. An unprecedented downpour caused widespread flooding. Many settlers were driven from their homes, and live stock drowned. Fences and buildings were swept away. Hail flattened the crops and stripped the orchards and cyclonic winds uprooted trees, and tore down telegraph and telephone wires.

Many of the roads are impassable. The Snowy River has risen over 30 feet, isolating the township of Orbost, in Victoria. It is feared that the flood waters may overwhelm Orbost and tho police are working desperately to rescue families whose homes are surrounded by water. The bridge on the Princess highway, which crosses the Snowy River at Orbost, has given way. One family of 11 were seen huddled together on the roof of their home, which is surrounded by water, and efforts are being made to rescue them. Towns In Darkness.

When a cyclonic storm struck the West Maitland district, barns and sheds were demolished, houses unroofed, and trees uprooted. Falling across the electric light mains, the trees threw the township of Lorn Largs, Woodville and Paterson into darkness.

A number of bridges were swept away in the Wangaratta district and a house was seen floating down the Snowy River. It is presumed that the occupants escaped. It has rained in Melbourne without ceasing for three days. Many homes in the low-lying suburbs are inundated and the aerial services to Tasmania have been discontinued.

Bega, in New South Wales, has been cut off, the bridges having been washed away on the South Coast, and late last night water was pouring over the spillway of the Burrinjuk dam with grave danger of floods at Gundagai, Wagga and other towns in this area. The outlook is serious as heavy rain is still falling over the catchment area. Creeks Running Like Rivers.

A message from Wagga says that reports from surrounding districts all indicate dangerous floods with the creeks running like rivers. Thousands of sheep have been drowned and numerous families have been compelled to leave their homes.

Bateman’s Bay, on the South Coast, is isolated and 150 travellers, unable to proceed cither north or south, were forced to spend the night in the open.

The Goulburn flood waters have subsided, leaving a trail of broken fences and ruined crops. The gales continue along the coast, severely hampering shipping. Tornado In Queensland.

A tornado swept through the bushland at Maggill, near Brisbane, last night, leaving a path of desolation two miles long and a quarter of a mile wide. Farms and settlers suffered severely. Buildings were blown down, fences flattened, crops destroyed and trees some 50 feet high, uprooted. The tornado lasted only 15 minutes, but in that time did hundreds of pounds worth of damage. Sheets of iron from the roofs were found half a mile away. 15 FEET UNDER WATER PARTS OF BEGA TOWNSHIP. HOUSE SWEPT DOWN RIVER. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, January 9. Communication with Bega, on the South Coast, was restored to-day. The weather is improving. Old residents declare that the flooding is more disastrous than in 1917. The low-lying portions of the township are 15 feet under water and campers’ and unemployed huts have been washed away. Motorists touring the main southern highway between Sydney and Melbourne are everywhere held up. More than half Moruya towhship is submerged. The majority of southern coastal towns are full of holiday visitors who are marooned.

Reports from Orbost state that many families were rescued by boats. Forty houses were flooded and a complete five-roomed house was swept down the river. It is estimated that the Victorian Government will have to find £1,000,000 to repair roads and bridges and aid flood sufferers and tobacco growers, who have lost everything. COLLIER SAFE SHELTERED FROM STORM. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney, January 9. Tlie collier Mear, which on Saturday was reported to be sheltering in Oberon Bay, and of which yesterday the owners had received no news, is now reported to have sheltered near Gabo and is expected at Sydney on Wednesday.