FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2586, 21 August 1909, Page 5

FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

WIDESPREAD INUNDATIONS

SEVERAL LIVES LOST

United Press Association— -Co wright. MELBOURNE'August 20. - Floods have caused numerous railway wash-aways, dislocating the traffic. There was an unprecedented rain and wind ' storm at Ballarat. The lowlying parte, were submerged. Numerous buildings collapsed or were damaged. .

The Doveton woollen mills were unroofed, and damage was done to the extent of several hundred pounds. 1

• A 1 house occupied by the Odgers family was wrecked. Mrs Odgers was crushed to death, and her husband and daughter injured. ' Wormaid’s house collapsed, and Mrs Wormaid was injured. Numerous narrow escapes from flying debris are reported. Late last night the bridge between Clunes and Talbot was washed away. An engine and several trucks toppled over into the creek, but nobody was killed. An ambulance has been despatched to the scene. There are also heavy floods in Bendigo district. At Barwon Park, Mrs Ferry, wife of the manager of tiny estate,, and a girl named Gurrie were drowned in trying to escape in a boat. The man in charge of the boat had a narrow escape.

There was a terrific storm at Inglewood. The river has overflowed into the main street. Many residences have been inundated.

There is the biggest flood experienced for 40 years in the Avoca river. Hoorong Yale is under water, and many people have left their houses. Maryborough, Wichelsea, W odderburn, Yarrawonga, and Castlemaine all report high floods, and portions of the townships are under water. There have been great losses in poultry and stock, and it is also feared that there will be much damage to crops. There was a violent thunderstorm in Melbourne. The streets were deluged. Several low-lying suburbs were flooded. The express from Adelaide was detained overnight, the journey being un safe owing to washawavs. The telegraphic service fs disorganised. IMMENSE DAMAGE. MANY BUILDINGS WRECKED. The driver and fireman of the Clunes train were injured when it toppled into the creek. There were two passenger cars attached, containing about 30 people, hut the piling up of the trucks preceding them prevented the carriages falling into the creek. The passengers suffered" from the shock. It is reported that a dredge containing four men, at Castlemaine, has been washed away. Reports are coming to hand from all parts showing immense damage by the storm and floods. Many buildings have been wrecked.

FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE UNDER WATER.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC DISORGANISED.

(Received August 21, 12.35- a.m.) MELBOURNE, August 20. All the rivers are in a critical condition, and great losses are feared. Flemington racecourse is three feet under water. The floods at Geelong are the heaviest for years. Railway traffic is disorganised. The “Englishman’s Home" Company, journeying to Sydney to catch the Moana for New Zealand, was held up by the floods, and their New Zealand tour has /been postponed for the present. The township of Newstead is flooded by the Lodden River, which rose with great rapidity. The Newstead Hotel was washed into the middle of the street and wrecked. Many of the houses have seven feet of water in them.