HULL INUNDATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1921, Page 5

HULL INUNDATED.

EIGHT FEET OF WATER IN STREETS. PLIGHT OF SHOPPERS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. ' London, Dec. 18. The tidal waters, under the influence of a gale, inundated a portion of Hull, causing damage to the extent of £250,000. The whole of the old portion of the city was flooded. A strong south-westerly sent the water up the Humber. Fish were seen swimming in the streets, in some of which the water rose to a height Cf eight feet. People were resc'-ied from the upper floor windows. The electric light, tramways, and telephone service were interfered with.

The old town is in a state of chaos and the damage is now estimated at £750,000. Thousands were engaged in their week-end shopping when the water commenced to invade the streets. The shoppers were soon knee deep, and as the water rose they rushed into shops and hotels, which were quickly crowded. The trams stopped soon and the lower rooms became untenable, the refugees seeking safety in the upper stories, even going on the roofs.

Meanwhile many families were trying to save their furniture, moving pianos and perishable goods to the upper floors. The stalls in the market place were swept away, including turkeys, geese and other Christmas fare. Ten banks were flooded. in St. Mary’s Church, where the water rose to the tops of the pews, an oak lectern floated about in the aisle. People in the poorer districts had very narrow escapes, but fortunately there were no fatalities. Received Dec. 19, 9.25 p.m. London, Dec. 19. Tfce tide floods swept over many towns n tne East Coast, notably Grimsby, Dundee and Brought? Ferry, where vessels were swept into the streets and moored to lamp posts.