STORMS AND FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1921, Page 5

STORMS AND FLOODS.

NEW SOUTH WALES SUFFERS LOSS OF LIFE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, July 25. I A heavy rainstorm and gales have swept the city and coast. Many vessels I are sheltering. A number of northern j towns are threatened by floods, a ,’ast area of the country being submerged. I There were extensive floods on the north coast on Saturday. Lismore, Murwillum- ; bah, Kempsey and Macksville were inundated. Two lives were lost at Murwillumbah. The damage there is estimated at £lOO,OOO. All communication is cut off, preventing further information. The Clarence burst its banks rising 22 feet. North and South Grafton are partially flooded, but the waters generally are falling. The floods in the northern districts followed a cyclonic storm, which did severe damage to property. Six inches of rain fell in a few hours and the rivers rose with unexpected rapidity and, breaking the banks, swept into the townships mentioned. Late at night the main streets were deeply flooded. Many shops and residences were feet deep in water. The people were caught napping and made their exit with difficulty in the darkness. Many places were completely surrounded and the inmates were taken out by rescue boats.

At Murwillumbah a baby worked from its escaping mother’s arms and was drowned by the overturning boat. Wide areas along the rivers are inundated and widespread damage is feared. Other lives have been lost, but until the waters subside it will be impossible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. FIVE PERSONS DROWITED. GREAT LOSS OF STOCK. Received July 25, 10,10 p.m. Sydney. July 25. In of the flooded areas the water receded quickly, though in some districts the worst is not y n t known. Police warning enabled many residents in the low-lying grounds to escape, and numerous thrilling experiences are related. Some residents were compelled to spend, the night on the roof in pouring rain. A few houses were swept bodily away. The scarcity of boats delayed rescue work. So far as is Known five persons were drowned. The rainfall for thirty-six hours was nearly eight inches. The losses of stock are immense, some farms being fifteen feet under water.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.