Swept to Death

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 917, 10 March 1930, Page 9

Swept to Death

HUNDREDS PERISH IN FLOOD France Loses 500 Lives CROPS RUINED IN PERTH SIMULTANEOUSLY with the report, of widespread havoc caused by an electrical storm and floods in Perth, Australia, has come cabled news stating: that the flooded areas in the South of France are more horrible to see than the shellshattered fields of the Great War. At least 500 are dead. Africa, too, has been visited by disastrous floods, which have caused 11 deaths and ravaged the country.

United P.A. —Sy Telegraph Copgright Reed. 11.50 a.m. PERTH, Today. A fierce electrical storm swept the south-east agricultural districts, and caused extensive damage to crops, houses, and fences. A strip of country 20 miles long by five miles wide was laid bare at Pingelly. A 100-mile-an-hour gale swept the town, unroofing houses, and razing fences and hundreds of trees. Nearly every home in the district suffered damage. Many creeks were flooded by torrential rains, and are now running bank-high. At Narrabeen 30 chains of railway have been washed away. OVER 500 DEAD FLOODS WORSE THAN WAR DAMAGE ON FRENCH SOIL PARIS, Saturday. Eye-witnesses report that' the flooded area in the South of France is even more horrible to contemplate than the shell-shattered departments of 1914-IS. The breakdown of communications is serious and the problem of feeding the refugees is most acute. Airmen are dropping parcels into villages surrounded by water, as the current is too swift to allow boats to navigate the floods. Shocking stories continue to come to hand of poor victims carried away under the eyes of would-be rescuers. One woman clinging to a chimney was gradually submerged in the water without a cry or struggle. .Bridges in the Garenne Valley are collapsing under the floods. However, the waters generally are receding, and

districts which have been 30 feet under water are now only submerged nine feet. It is estimated that the full reconstruction of the damaged districts will occupy years. The plans suggested include a scheme of afforestation, designed to be a safeguard against another inundation. The sacrifice of most of the woods in the war is considered to have been largely responsible for the disaster. There are conflicting accounts of the death roll. Some reports say it totals 700, but an official check indicates that it Is at least 500. HEROISM AND HAVOC MANY DEATHS IN AFRICA HOUSES AND BRIDGE COLLAPSE CAPETOWN, Saturday. Following upon heavy rains in the Drakensberg mountains the great and little Bushman Rivers became raging torrents, and swept over the Estcourt district. A bridge collapsed with a deafening roar, and houses were carried down stream. Eleven deaths are reported, and more are feared. A European in evening dress, who was returning from a dance, went to the rescue of a family of Indians. He waded neck deep in water and carried the occupants of the house, including several children, to safety. His motorcar was swept away. A native constable in another place put his family on a roof and climbed a tree. Then he saw his wife and children disappear. Another family at Estcourt vanished with their house. Communication with Northern Natal was interrupted for 12 hours.