A GREAT STORM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3130, 5 March 1909, Page 5

A GREAT STORM.

WIDESPREAD DEVAS-

TATION. A TOWN FLOODED. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE. ' Received March 4, 9.46 a.m. PERTH, March 4. Tuesday night's storm caused widespread devastation in the Northam and York districts. Following four days' intense haat, rain accompanied-by large hailstones and cyclonic wind, commenced suddenly to fall in cataracts at Northam. Then there was a lull, followed by another, even worse, storm. It is estimated that seven inches of rain fell in 35 minutes. An arm of the Avon overflowed, and a wall of water 200 yards wide and rive feet deep, carrying fences, small structures, and all movable articles before it, rushed down on the to.vn and flooded the main street to a depth of four feet. Scarcely a house in the town escaped. People took refuge on chairs and boxes placed on tables. There were many narrow escapes by men engaged in rescue work. One was washed out of a buggy, but was saved by clinging to a hencoop. The constable in charge of the lockup, wading up to nis armpits in water, released twa prisoners who would otherwise have been drowned. To make matters worse, the electric station was flooded, and the town planned in darknes3. The waters subsided at the end of t'iree hours. When daylight came thire was presented a remarkable picture. The streets were everywhere littered with debris, dead dogs, sheep and thousands of fowls. Most ot the houses were filled with mud, and are uninhabitable. The contents were largely destroyed. Business people are the greatest losers, their stock being damaged by the rain to the extent, it is estimated, of from ten to fifteen thousand pounds. The Mayor has opened a relief fund. The railway and telegraphic services are disorganised. There were many washaways at York, 77J miles from Perth. The storm lasted two hours. Hailstones as large as pigeons' eggs fell, the main street was flooded, aad the swingbridge partially washed away. Miles of fencing were destroyed, and great damage done to property and orchards throughout the districts devastated. At Kalgoorlie three men were riding on a dray, when one, named Swift, was struck dead by • lightning. The others suffered severe socks.

FLOOD ' I J VICTORIA. Received March 4, 10 a.m. MEL OURNE, March 4. There have been unusually • evere thunderstorms in various distric . Floods an! monster hj; Istor ns ha e c use extensive damage.