AUSTRALIAN FLOODS CAUSE HEAVY LOSSES IN STOCK AND PROPERTY

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 March 1949, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN FLOODS CAUSE HEAVY LOSSES IN STOCK AND PROPERTY

SYDNEY, March 28 (Recd 7.30 pm). ■ —Heavy flooding continues in northwestern New South Wales and southwest Queensland, and huge tracts of country usually consisting of desert and semi-arid land have been covered by several feet of water. The floods have swept away and drowned thousands of sheep and have forced many people to flee from their homes to higher ground. Some homesteads are completely cut off and the emergncy air-lift operating from Broken Hill and Tibooburra has been extended to drop emergency supplies to districts well inside the Queensland border. The flood levels are high in all the rivers in south-west Queensland. In New South Wales the conditions are improving, but Tioooburra (on the extreme north-west of New South Wales) will be isolated by road for some weeks yet. The Richmond River has risen 18 feet, threatening the business section of Lismore. BRISBANE, March 28 (Recd 7.40 p.m.).—Flood waters in western Queensland have bggun to recede, leaving behind a trail of drowned stock, broken fences and washed-out roads. The police say this afternoon that the Warrego River at Charleville has fallen four feet. In northern New South Wales heavy rain has aggravated the flood position though further rain is not expected.