TERRIFIC CYCLONE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 14 February 1927, Page 5

TERRIFIC CYCLONE.

MANY LIVES LOST IN NORTH QUEENSLAND. GREAT DEPRIVATION SUFFERED HEAVY LOSS OF STOCK. (Per Press Association—Copyright. BRISBANE, this day. Latest reports state that the cyclone in northern Queensland caused fifteen deaths, while many are reported to be missing. The cyclone at Ingham caused the highest flood in the history of the Herbert River. It swept the district for forty-eight hours, commencing Wednesday night, when practically the whole of the district was submerged and resulted in appalling loss of life and damage to crops, and heavy loss of live stock. Nearly ten inches of rain fell on Wednesday night and the same rainfall was reported at Herbert, which is at the base of the Herbert River. The water came down in a raging torrent, trapping hundreds of people living on the low-lying parts. By Friday morning the flood reach ed the apex and was three feet higher than the record of the flood of 1874.

In Ingham there were many houses destroyed, and many were washed bodily down the stream. Three men on one of these were rescued when the house stranded, after being exposed for two days and two nights. A meeting of the authorities appointed a vigilance committee, and the whole town and surrounding districts have been rationed. Food is scarce and has to be obtained by ticket. Special constables have been sworn in and are making arrangements to house great numbers of destitute, who have lost everything. Although communication with the outside districts is still considerably interrupted, it is known that at Ripple Creek a house containing seventeen Italians was swept away, of whom only two were saved. The damage to property has been immense and at Ingham boats were plying all night, rescuing families that were marooned, and supplying food to some people who had beeif living on the house tops for three days without food. Hundreds of horses and cattle wove seen swimming about in the waters for hours before being drown ed. The whole district is littered with carcases. The sudden moderation of the wind on Thursday undoubtedly saved many lives. Halifax is still isolated, but it is believed that this centre suffered heavily owing to the sudden rise of the Herbert River. Torrential rain again deluged Cairns «n Saturday night, causing further extensive damage. Later advices from Ingham state that the flood waters are rising. The water is six feet deep in the main street.