FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18247, 7 February 1931, Page 6

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

WORST IN HISTORY. LISMORE INUNDATED. POLICE BOATS TO TIIE RESCUE. MILES OF COUNTRY SUBMERGED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel Cnoyrigln SYDNEY, Fell. 6. Torrential rain along the north coast of New South Wales and in southern portions of Queensland has caused serious tloods and low-lying country is submerged. Brisbane is in the worst flood for more than 20 I years. Thousands of people are home- | less. The railway and tram services are disorganised. At Murrumba watershed the Brisbane River flood level reached G3ft. The record is 80ft, in March, 1893. Twelve inches of rain were registered at the exhibition grounds in 24 hours. Confusion reigned in the city. Streams of refugees are hurrying 'to tiie higher portions of the city.. They curried whatever effects they had been aide to salvage. (Received February 7, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 7. The floods oil the North Coast of New South Wales are the worst in history. A portion o'f the Lismore business centre is submerged, and the residents are being rescued from housetops by police boats, which are perilously overloaded. Miles of dairying land is inundated. Kyogle is also partly under water, and it is still raining. Coraki was deluged, and menaced by flood waters, but the danger has passed on the Tweed River, which is receding. Ail trains have ceased on the North Coast. I | SCENES OF DESOLATION. MAN AND GIRL DROWNED. STEAMER RUNS ASHORE. United Press Assn Elec. Tel. Copyright. BRISBANE, February G. The suburbs of the city are inundated, and the biggest flood since J 908 is expected. In the South Port district farm lands are covered to a depth of ten feet. Bridge Carried Away. The Ilousenand bridge has been carried away by swirling waters. A baby girl was washed from her mother’s arms when crossing a deep gully and drowned. A train overturned near Dakabin and the fireman’s arm was broken. -(Received February 7, 10.55 a.m.) BRISBANE, February 7. In the suburbs were scenes of desolation. Ruined anud smashed furnij ture and flattened fences were seen on all sides. Some people, who were forced to vacate their homes, have returned, to find them in a terrible condition, with mud and slush ' inches deep on the floors, and furniture ruined. Greeks in tiie country districts are still running strongly. The Nerang River is a raging torrent. A man was drowned while trying to cross a flooded creek in the Oxley district. Part of the Ipswich road at Rocklea is 15 feet under water. Only the roofs of nearly all the houses are visible. The schools have been olosed, and all train services to the north have ceased. A heavy flood is predicted in several of I lie northern rivers. ' Swept downstream by flood waters in the Brisbane River, the steamer Momba rammed the lighter Sand, then it crashed into the stern of the Mundilla, and finally ran fjshore at Newfar m. FARMERS FORCED TO FLEE. HOUSES COMPLETELY SUBMERGED (Received February 7, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 7. The flood waters are five and six feet deep in the shops of Lismore’s main street. Although the rain has ceased the river continues to rise, and the position is serious. A disastrous flood is feared at Coraki. The river lias broken its banks at several places, and farmers have been forced to lice, leaving stock to 1 be drowned. All low-lying country is submerged, and the worst is yet to come. Landslides have occurred at Kyogle, and bridges have been washed away. Many houses are completely submerged. Tiie water is at places a mile wide.