TROPICAL CYCLONE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18950, 20 May 1933, Page 5

TROPICAL CYCLONE.

MUCH DAMAGE IN SYDNEY

NEW SOUTH WALES SWEPT. phenomenal rainfall. United Press Assn.—Elea. Tel. Copyright SYDNEY, May 19. The coast of New South Wales Is being lashed by a tropical cyclonic storm with driving rain, high seas and gales. Shipping Is delayed. Much-needed rain has fallen or is falling Inland, and where It was most required In Victoria. This has brought relief to wheat growers and pastorallsts. Reports from all parts of the city and suburbs disclose heavy damage through this evening’s deluge, when two inches of rain fell in an hour and 31 inches in two hours. Rain Is still pelting down and causing flooding In all low-lying areas.

Damage estimated at £2OOO was done In a Waterloo factory where •the stock was drenched. Water four feet deep Is lying in Anzao Parade, Randwlok, and most of the racecourses and football grounds are Inundated.

There were numerous mishaps in streets where motor-cars were out of action.

A workman was run over and killed bv a tram on the harbour bridge owing to the bad visibility. Three other persons were knocked down by trams for the same reason.

The Wanganella was to have sailed for Auckland from Sydney this afternoon hut owing to the storm her departure was postponed till 11.30 p.m.

LATER. MANY SHOPS FLOODED. FIREBALL STRIKES HOUSE. FIERCE SEAS RUNNING. Uniter! Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 20, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 20. Last night’s gale reached a velocity of 57 miles an hour. It Is Impossible to estimate the damage. George Street, in the city, suffered heavily. Shop floors were under water, and sand and sawdust barricades were erected against the flood waters, while firemen were busy salvaging stock. A fireball struck a house at Bondi and unroofed it. The cyclone was particularly severe on shipping. Vessels which put to sea we.ro forced to turn back. The Manly ferries were forced to cease running. Stand-off signals have been posted at .Wooliongong . and Iviama, where high seas made the entrance of ships uncertain. ■ A stormwater channel at Kensington, a suburb, burst, and houses and shops In the business centre were flooded.

Selfridge’s premises in Pitt Street had its stock damaged to the extent of £3OOO. Many other shops had to remove sodden articles from the shelves.

Thousand of late shoppers were drenched.

A warning of. local floods has been Issued in the northern and southern coastal towns.

The conditions are expected to improve over thejveek-end.