DELUGE IN SYDNEY.

Shannon News, 9 January 1923, Page 4

DELUGE IN SYDNEY.

j Randwick was the centre of a plieno-

menal rainstorm shortly after G p.m. on. December 21, says a Sydney paper, and in 20 minutes 200 points of rain fell. Many tramcars were derailed as the result. of the thick deposits of sand which were left on the lines.

A young woman, on alighting from a tram at Cowper Street, Wavorlev, was swept, off her feet by a surging torrent. She was carried into the gutter and completely submerged until someone dragged her out. The residents of Anzac Parade, particularly in the Albion Road section, believed for a time that they would have to evacuate their homes. The water poured in their front doors and through to the back. The most appropriate

figure ivas that of a young man in a surfing costume. Two motorists in this area had to temporarily abandon their cars, and wade through water up to waists. An Alison Road resident, unable to i get access to his house by the front, j climbed over three fences and complet- | ed approach by the rear. | Among Coogec buildings flooded were ) the Coogee Bay Hotel, the Boomerang Picture Theatre, and the ambulance station. It was stated that the manager of the Boomerang Theatre called in the local fire brigade to pump out the

water. ! From every quarter comes the statej ment that the roads were turned into j veritable rivers. I Residents of Bondi and Randwick say

, that never before had they seen' such quantities of hail. Some of it was a most as big as hen-eggs—just ffigß' c pieces of ice. Part of Cranbrook Road,

I Double Bay, was washed away, and the | rush of water down Birriga Road, Bellovue Hill, was a sight to remember. The State Meteorologist, Mr Mares, said that the thunderstorm was the product of the very extensive tropical dc--pression which had been causing ram

'j in Queensland and in the northern j parts of New South Wales.

| The Randwick racecourse managers, I Messrs Law" and Johnson, had an anxi ous time while the storm was at its [ height. The water was feet deep m 5 places, and hundreds of birds were lall-

I by the hailstones. Thousands more, ! half-stunned, congregated in shelter at the back of the grandstand, and they presented a strange sight. Extensive damage was caused by me storm at Bronte. Tram traffic was completely disoragnised, and over 18m. ; 0 f sand covered the rails at the toiI minus. Great damage was caused to buildings in the course of erection by 5 the sand shifting from beneath the I foundations, and the streets were covered with debris of all descriptions. } Bronte Park w r as completely submerged jby over a foot of swirling water. The •j heavy rain played havoc with glass ; doors and windows, and many fences ( were blown down.