FLOOD DAMAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20680, 19 March 1937, Page 5

FLOOD DAMAGE

EMERGENCY PLANS IN FEN COUNTRY Brlttsb Official Wlrelesf RUGBY, March 17. Although the danger is not completely past, the flood situation in the fen land shows a distinct improvement. As a result of a combination of high tides and further heavy rain there is acute anxiety, and people living in several villages were ordered to higher ground. Over a wide area the inhabitants were told to stand by in preparation for evacuation. Welney Wash, for 20 miles of its length was under water, which stood seven feet deep across the road from Ely to Wisbech. Hundreds of men are engaged in strengthening the defences. Wind and rain ceased about midnight and the tide began to faU. RIVER BREAKS BANKS WIDE AREA INUNDATED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received March 18, 11 pin.) LONDON, March 18. Late last night, with a thunder-like roar, the swollen river broke through at Soham, at first through a four-yard gap which rapidly widened to 60 yards, through which the water cascaded in a mighty torrent. By early morning more than 2000 acres and four farms were under 3ft of water, and the level was still rising.