TERRIFIC STORMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 299, 19 December 1933, Page 10

TERRIFIC STORMS

DEATHS AND DAMAGE AUSTRALIAN STATES SWEPT. WHEAT CHOPS AFFECTED. Three persons are dead as a result of terrific storms which swept Victoria early last week. Pcopl e were driver from their homes, railway service: were dislocated, bridges swept away and sheep, cattle and poultry perished . in thousands. 'The storms extended into Southern New South Wales and South Australia, and wheat crops in Riverina were damaged. Reports from all parts of Victoria indicated that vast expanses of wheat, oats, barley and hay had been levelled by wind and torrential rain, causing farmers of the grain areas many thous nds of pounds in loss. Apart from this, serious loss was caused by floodwaters. The demolition of bridges and serious wash-outs made many roads impassable and railways in many parts of the Stat e and the telegraphic system were disorganised. The contents of hundreds of homes that were flooded were ruined, and miles of fences were either blown down or swept away by-flood-waters. The storms were among the w r orst ever experienced in the State, and the floods, in many cases, are reported to be th c worst for years. George Abbott, aged 19. son of John Abbott, caretaker of the Stawcll Town Hall, was sheltering under a. tree. Lightning struck the top of the tree and travelled down the trunk and struck Abbott. His companions received a shock, but recovered. Lightning struck bumper bars at railway relief works at Stawcll and several workers were thrown violently to the ground. They were not seriously injured. Swept, Into the Flood. When at templing to cross the main bridge spanning the Smythesdale Creek, at Haddon, in the Ballarat district, Mabel Jean, aged 15, was swept into the raging flood-waters. Thc bridges collapsed when she was about half-way across. While a number of pcople were watching the flood-waters of McCallum’s Creek, at Caulfields Bridge, Dunach, George Stone, about 20, tried to release a log. When it shifted lie fell into the creek and was carried under th e bridge. Watchers saw him, caught in a whirlpool, disappear. So serious was the position at Creswick that people were removed from their homes in low-lying areas to high ground, as it was feared that the Eaton dam, near the township, might burst. Eventually, th e walls of the dam gave way and the rushing waters destroyed bridges and roads. But there was no loss of life, as the residents had had sufficient warning. The rescue was effected of a German family which had been marooned in the Golden Valley Hotel at Bet Bet, near Maryborough. Mr. and Mrs. J. Gorman and six members of their family, found themselves trapped in the hotel by the rising flood-waters, which completely surrounded the building. Several attempts to rescue them failed. Portion of the hotel collapsed and at one time fears were entertained for the safety of thc marooned family. Frantic efforts to reach them were made by men in boats, but before reaching the hotel the boats were swept away by the force of the current. Narrow Escape. Disaster nearly' overtook a rescue party when Mr. J. Seantlebury, who was in the leading boat, was swept off his feet. Tie managed to grasp a fence and was helped back to tlio boat by Constable G. Coulter, who pluckiiy jumped into the water. A boat eventually reached the hotel. At Moonai>el, near Avoca, the local hall was washed away and the piano was found later 400 yards from its original polition. Thc worst floods for 20 years occurred at Ballarat and the surroundin': district. There were serious losses of tobacco crops in the Stawell district Ono grower lost 25,000 plants and another man, who had recently begun tobacco growing, lost 8000 plants in a night. Three aircraft, which maintain pas senger and mail services between the mainland and Tasmania, were driven back last Friday morning when they set out to fly across Bass Strait. Mr. J. Turner, pilot of th e monoplane 'i man, who has been flying across Bass Strait regularly for the past nine months, said he had never experienced anything to equal the cyclonic conditions which prevailed beyond Wilson’s Promontory. At that distance from the mainland he could see only 100 yards ahead of him, and tfie monoplane could make no headway in the teeth of the gale, estimated to be. blowing at 80 miles an hour. Wheat growers Fear Disaster. JJain in New South Wales extended from the western division to the south era highlands. The falls were heaviest in Riverina, whore many thunderstorms were experienced. Although the post tion has been materially improved for graziers aud dairymen, wheat farmers are expected to suffer seriously. Many crops have been flattened, the, unsea sonable rain caused rust, and stripping could not be carried out. In the irrigation area the heavyshowers, coupled with the humid conditions which hav e been prevailing for some weeks, have damaged crops. A message from Griffith reported that there has been an alarming outbreak of black spot on the, sultana vines and on some varieties of wirip grapes. Extensive flooding occurred also throughout South Australia. Props were damaged and heavy losses of sheep occurred. The falls wore the heaviest and most general since January, 18S9.