5000 Driven From Their Homes

Chronicle (Levin), 17 June 1948, Page 5

5000 Driven From Their Homes

( N.Z.P.A. -

-Reuter,

Copyrtght)

Received Wednesday, 7.10 p.m. SYDNEY, June ' 16. A report from Lismore estiiiiates that over 5000 people have been driven from their lionies by the rising floodwaters in the • north coastal area of New South Wales. A huge tract of CQimtry is submerged and sonie rivers are still rising. The Richmond River at Lismore rbached a peak of 34 feet 8 inehes above normal this morning, several feet short of the record level achieved in the 1945 floo.ds, and is reported to have snbsided slightly. The Weather Bureau experts conditions to moderate today as the cyelone now 200 miles east of Cotf 's Harbour continues to move away. At present the area from Miu'willumbah to Sonth Grafton and west to Tabnlum resenibles an inland sea. The floodwaters are snrging into Lismore, Casino, Ballina aiid Sonth Grafton, and other towns are threatened by swoollen torrents l'rom the back conntries ponring into the rising rivers. The Richmond and Twecd Rivers are believed to have reached their peak, ■ bnt the Clarence is regarded as a source of danger within the next 24 hours. Lismore has snffercd most severely, and this morning trees and other debris were swirling throngh the main streets as boats manned by 50 volunteers moved families from their stricken homes. Practieally the whole town is flooded with the waters 20 feet deep in the outlving areas. Hnndreds of families are sheltering in schools and homes on the higher ground and at newly established emergeney relief eentres. The poliee have prepared target areas on th higher ground vrliere planes may drop blankets and relief supplies. At present gales have prevented the nse of planes for this purpose.