THE TOWN SUBMERGED.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8606, 10 March 1897, Page 2

THE TOWN SUBMERGED.

BUSINESS COMPLETELY SUS-

PENDED.

GREAT DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

Greymouth, March 10.

The heaviest flood ever experienced here occurred this morning, and is now running. At 1 a.m. the firebells were rung to arouse the inhabitants, and the business people immediately began to lift their goods off the floor, By 4 o'clock the torrent was washing over the wharf, and the whole of the business part of tae town was submerged from 2ft to 6ft deep, and a dangerous current was rushing down many of the streets. All business is suspended, and now (11 a.m.) the water is a foot deep in premises in the middle part of the town, and much deeper in other part. The Star Office has over a foot of water on the floor, and the Argus could not publish, being flooded out, and there can be no evening paper to-night. It rained bard all night, but now shows signs of improvement, although it is still raining up-country. It is not yet possible to estimate the damage, which will be very considerable.

Bbunxketox, March 10,

Owing to the flood railway traffic between Reefton, Greymouth, and Jackson's is interrupted. Many heavy slips have occurred.. The farmers have suffered heavy loss in cattle. .

Several houses were shifted from their foundations. *

The total extent of loss is not yet known. ,

Communication is unlikely to be restored for some days.