HEAVY RAINS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1933, Page 5

HEAVY RAINS

FLOORS IN N.S.W.

ACCIDENTS AND DAMAGE OCCUR.

fAustralian Press Association )

SYDNEY, May 19

Th-3 New South Wales coast is being lashed by a tropical cyclonic storm, with driving ram, high sec« and gales. ..shipping is delayed.

Much needed rain has fallen or is falling inland, wheie it is most required in Victoria, bringing relief to the wheat growers and pastoralists.

Reports from all parts of the city and suburbs disclose heavy damage after this evening’s deluge, when two inches of rain foil in an hour, and three and a half in two hours. It is still pelting down, causing flooding in all low-lying areas.

Damage estimated at £2OOO was caused at a Waterloo factory where the stock was drenched. The water is four feet deep in Anzac Parade.

Randwick and most racecourses and football grounds are under water. There were numerous street mishaps, motor cars being put out of action. A workman was mangled by a train on the harbour bridge owing to bad visibility. Three persons were knocked down by trams owing to the same reason.

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE RESULTS

damage to shop goods;

(Received this day at 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 20,

Last night’s gale reached a velocity of fifty-seven miles an hour. ■ It is impossible to estimate the damage. George Street in the city sulfered heavily, sbop floors being under water. Sand and sawdust barricades were erected against the flood waters while firemen were busy salvaging stocks. A fireball struck a homo at Bondi and unroofed it.

The cyclone was particularly severe on shipping, vessels which put to sea, being forced to turn back.

The Manly ferries were forced to cease running. Stand off signals have been posted at Woplongong and Kiamu where high seas made the entrance of ships uncertain. A storm water channel at Kensington burst and houses and shops in tue business centre were flooded.

Selfridge’s in Pitt Street, had stock damaged to the extent of £3OOO. Many other shops had to remove sodden articles from the shelves. Thousands of late shoppers were drenched. A warning of local floods was issued in both Northern and Southern coastal towns. Conditions are expected to improve over the week-end.