DANGER PEAK PASSED

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1948, Page 5

DANGER PEAK PASSED

Reeeived Thursday, 7.35 p.m. SYDNEY, June 17. With the flood waters of the Richmond and Clarence ' Rivers receding the danger peak in the inundated 'Northern Rivers area appears to have passed. " A second cyclone reported last night has moved seaward and today is centred north-east oi Lord Howe Island. Many towns reported today that the wind has lessened and the rain has eased. Nevertlieless a huge area is still under water and the peak of . the flood waters of the Richmond River has yet to reach Corffki and Woodburn below Lismore where the power has failed and the water level is still rising. In Lismore 's main shopping area the water is quiekly draining off, leaving a thiclc coating of mud and slime, Over half of Grafton is now inundated, but the Clarence is falling. The gasworks have closed down. because of laclc of fuel. In Maclean, where the floods reached the highest level for 60 years, the majoritv of the business houses are stili tlo-oded and no- f all in the water ievei has been noted. Yamba at the mouth of the Clarence River is isolated and the food position is becoming- serious. Two trains with 331 passengers are stranded at Byron Bay .whefe gales " wrecked launches and uprooted trees. The passengers are sleeping" in the carriages and on the platforrns. Meanwhile an R.A.A.E. Dakota took off from Richmond aerodrome today for the Bathhurst area with equipment and seientists of the Council oi Hcientifie hnd' Industrial Eesearch to carry out artificial rain-making experitnents. Terrifie seas assoeiated with the cyclone which was responsible for the flooding of northern coast towns are pounding the fciydney beaches and causing delays to shipping. The trip of 60 miles. from. Newcastle to Sydney was dafigerous for fully-laden colliers. Sydney 's gas supply is threatened and the County Council has sutficient eoal.for only one day's supply of electricity, but two colliers left Newcastle this morning with enough coa\. to relieve the position. No ship sailed from Sydney today until 10.55 a.m. The Manly ferries had rough passage? crossing inside the Heads, but no injuries resulted.