Serious Floods

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 1

Serious Floods

CONDITIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES Warning to Residents FLOODS in New South Wales* are assuming serious proportions, and rivers continue to rise. Further rain is predicted. The police have been instructed by the Weather Bureau to warn all residents along the Clarence River.

By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 11.5 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. Water continues to rise in all the flood areas. The Government Meteorologist predicts still further rain, and the position is very serious. The police have been instructed by the Weather Bureau to warn all residents along the Clarence River of the possibilities of more serious flooding. Most of the farmers have removed their stock to higher ground. While crossing Grady’s Creek, in the Kyogle district, on a log, Constable Algin slipped off and was drowned. SHIPPING HELD UP Rain, accompanied by stormy weather all along the New South Wales coast, is delaying shipping. Vessels arriving in Sydney report rough and stormy seas. Owing to torrential rainstorms the railway expresses to and from Sydney have been held up by a big washout. The latest report from Grafton states that the Clarence River is rising rapidly, and a big flood is feared. A cloudburst occurred near Narrandera, and the torrential rain resulted in houses and shops in the low districts being deeply flooded. From Ganmain it is reported that the residents of 30 houses have been driven out by the flood waters.

At Ardleton there is 3ft of water in the main street. Rescue parties took

the residents from their houses along the banks of the creeks in the vicinity of the town. WORSE FLOODS FEARED At Cootamundra over 500 overland train passengers are waiting for repairs to the wash-outs on the railway in order to resume their journey. Several minor derailments are reported owing to wash-outs, but no fatalities have occurred. There is a general dislocation of railway traffic. The rivers are rising everywhere, and worse floods are anticipated. Reports from Brisbane say the Burnett River is in high flood at Minto. where it formed a lake several miles wide and swept away the maize and cotton crops. Miles of fencing were demolished and the water encroached on dwellings and other places along the river valley. It is reported that similar destruction has been caused by the flooding of other rivers. Widespread destruction has occurred and much stock has been drowned. Serious damage has occurred in the town of Junee, which is flooded. The bodies of drowned cows are floating in the low-lying streets. The electric light plant has been damaged and the town is in partial darkness. The water invaded many houses. The railway is deeply under water and traffic is suspended.—A. and N.Z.