PROPERTY AND CROPS LOST AT LILYDALE
ESTIMATED AT £4000
FAMILIES FORCED FROM HOMES: BRIDGE WASHED AWAY AT UNDERWOODWhen a cloud burst over Mount Arthur in the early hours of Saturday morning, three creeks, which converged at Lilydale, flooded, and, overflowing their banks, swept through the town, to cause the worst flood in the history of the district. Seven families had to vacate their homes, as the water was one to two feet deep in some of the houses. At the height of the flood the township was one sheet of water, and the main street resembled a river. Damage estimated at £4000 has been done to property, crops, and vegetables.
At Underwood, the Piper's River bridge was washed away and motorists are compelled to use the Karoola route. In the Recreation Ground a large tree was shattered when struck by lightning. Two persons also suffered slightly from shock. The Lilydale road is expected to be open again at the end of the week.
Damage was also caused by flooding at George Town and other places along the East Tamar, and many creeks in the north-eastern areas reached higher levels than in the 1929 flood.
A bridge on Bateman road near Turner's Marsh was washed away and the district is isolated. The road between Karoola and Bangor has been closed, due to a bridge having been made unsafe. The damage in the Bangor district is estimated at £3000.
Rain began to fall at Lilydale about 2.30 a.m. on Saturday, and by 9 o'clock 267 points had been registered. At noon the total had risen to 415 points. Over Mount Arthur the fall was infinitely heavier, and it was this rain that contributel mostly to the flood conditions. The amount of surface water on the mountain was immense, so that when it rushed into the creeks they swelled to flood proportions immediately and swept down on to Lilydale. Every gully on the mountain and hillsides became a creek, and almost dry creek-beds became rivers. In fact, the hillsides were covered with a rushing sheet of water.
The cloud-burst occurred over Mount Arthur and along the Tippagory range to Mount George, and throughout this area the water hurtled down the moun tains and hills. Practically all day on Saturday the roar of the water could be heard some miles distant.
A terrific thupder storm, with vivid flashes of lightning, occurred in the Lilydale district on Saturday morning, accompanied by heavy. rain. The creeks rose rapidly and where the three converged at the top of the township was one sheet of water. The actual courses of the three creeks were not visible. The water swept down behind the houses at the top of Lilydale and then along the main street and across it to other homes.
At the height of the flood the main road resembled a swiftly-flowing river varying from six inches to two or three feet deep.
The water entered seven houses, the Methodist Church, and the Council Chambers, depositing silt and mud on the floors. Furniture floated about in the rooms, and some pieces were carried into the street. Such was the suddenness of the flood and so unexpected was it, that several people had no time to vacate their homes before the water entered, let alone save any belongings.
Consequently these people, mostly elderly persons and women, had to be carried from the houses. To do this the rescuers had to wade through two or three feet of water in most properties, but at Mr. W. Arnold's, where the water first entered the town, the depth was four feet at the rear of the house.
At Mr. J. Manzoney's a stack of wood about six feet high piled against a fence ten feet from the house caused the water to bank up, and flow into the house. In rescuing people from this house, men made their way through water over four feet deep.
The houses affected by water were those of Messrs. A. Green, W. Arnold, W. Mitchell, Captain Reeve (Salvation Army residence), Les. Dornauf, J. H. Manzoney, Mrs. E. Power, the Methodist Church, and the council chambers. Mr. Arnold's property suffered most. Besides his home, an adjoining motor garage got the full force of the torrent as it entered the rear doors and rushed through two or three feet deep, out the front door and down the street.
Other homes seriously damaged were those of Mr. Manzoney and Mrs. Power. Facing Station-road, Mrs. Power's home was in the direct path of the waters rushing across paddocks from Arnold's and Manzoney's, and the water entered the back door, swirled through all the rooms to a depth of from one to two feet, and then escaped out the front door. The force with which the water came through the house may be gauged from the fact that the footpath in the front was torn up for about five yards to a depth of 18 inches by the water rushing from the narrow door opening. In the bathroom the level of the water was above the bottom of the bath, and muddy water was forced from outside up through the plug-hole and into the bath. When it receded, silt was left on the bottom.
Debris Carried Great Distance
Evidence of the force and depth of the water was seen in Station-road. At the height of the flood, between 10 and 11 a.m., cut lengths of wood piled at Mr. Arnold's woodyard were swept over the main road, past Manzoney's and over a number of properties on to Station road, a distance of about 400 yards. There, much of it was piled against a wire fence, for a length of about 50 yards and a height of three or four feet. ( Besides the firewood there were palings from fences, long lengths of timber, boxes, branches of trees, and timber from buildings and portion of a stairway. In its course from the other end of the town this wood and debris swept several fences before it, and much of it went over the fence on Station road and a further 200 yards across another paddock, and was checked by a fence there. This debris travelled about 600 yards. On one property, where the water had washed the wood through, a large gaping hole of about 30 yards was left in what was previously a stout wooden paling fence. "When the flood was at its worst the main street, which is slightly down hill, became a fast-flowing river for its full width. The footpaths were torn up and metal washed from the side of the road. Station road also suffered in this way. Even late in the afternoon, although the water had subsidcd to a large extent, the lower portions on each side of the main road resembled creeks in full flood. On the east side, containing most of the houses, the water was up to two feet deep, and swirled along at a fast rate. At its worst it was only with the utmost difficulty that anyone could move about the main street.
Besides the extensive damage to furniture and effects, and houses and other buildings, crops and vegetable gardens suffered severely. The heaviest loser was Mr. P. Arnold. His market garden of three or four acres at lower Lilydale was in the path of the worst of the flood waters, which took not only all his vegetables in their course, but carried away tons of top soil as well. His garden and surrounding paddocks were one sheet of water. His property has lost much of its value, and has possibly been ruined for the growing of vegetables through inches of top-soil having been lost.
Mr. F. H. Wade was another heavy loser. A large paddock of blue peas was inundated, and the top soil of a large ploughed paddock was washed away. Other farmers lost grass hay which was washed right off the various properties.
Several other properties were similarly affected and lost valuable top soil. Many farms were covered to depths of two and three feet, and the torrents of water carried all before them. Crops and cereals were ruin ed on many properties, while on some sheep and cattle had narrow escapes. In the low-lying parts of Karoola some sheep were lost.
At Mr. W. Brooks' property five cattle in a paddock were surrounded by water, but as it rose they were carried over a fence and were able to reach higher and safe ground.
The families at Lilydale who had to vacate their homes were billeted with friends. It will be some days before their homes will again be fit for habitation.
Bridge Lost at Underwood Underwood also experienced heavy rain, but being on high ground the houses were not flooded. However, the district had more than its share of misfortune. The Piper's River bridge was washed away about 1 p.m., when the structure was unable to withstand any longer the mass of wood and deb ris piled against it. Although the bridge spanned only a small depres sion, the new bridge will need to be much larger. After the bridge went the water hurtled against the approaches, and several feet of earth from these was washed away during the day. The gap now is over 15 yards.
The Lilydale end of the bridge gave way first, the other end remaining fast. The posts and railings on the lower side remained intact, but even tually they were carried away in one piece. So swift was the water that when the side of the bridge went it was tossed downstream as though it were a match-box.
On the Underwood Recreation Ground near the bridge a large gum tree, about four feet in diameter, was struck by lightning at 7 a.m. and completely shattered. Pieces, some four feet long, were thrown up to 200 yards distant, but most of the branches fell straight to the foot of the tree. All that remained of a fine tree was a badly scarred trunk about 15 feet high.
A window in a church nearby was broken by flying wood, while in some of the houses windows were broken by the thunder and one home was moved on its foundations.
Heather West, aged 15, was slightly injured. She was filling a kettle at the tap outside her home at Underwood when the destructive flash occurred at 7 o'clock and she received a shock through the tap. She managed to stag ger inside, but then collapsed, and was put to bed. Mrs. S. Morrison was knocked down.
With the loss of the Pipers River bridge motorists had to use the Karoola road to and from Lilydale. This road, a metal one, was badly scarred by the rain, and in parts was extensively flooded. Not far from the Underwood station the road was covered for a distance of about 150 yards to a depth of nine inches, and a few miles farther, where the road followed a slight down grade, it resembled a shallow river for over a mile.
The worst part of the road was at the Pipers River, near the Karoola station. Here the river had left its bed and swept over paddocks and across the road at a width of about 150 yards. At the height of the flood cars could ne gotiate the road only with great difficulty. A small car carrying represen tatives of "The Examiner" had to be pushed through about two feet of water for over 100 yards at 2 p.m., when the flood was at its height. Two hours the flood was at its height. A bridge near Turner's Marsh was washed away. (Continued on Page Eight)
FLOOD HAVOC SCENESRight: All that remained of a large gum tree in the Underwood Recreation Ground after it had been struck by lightning.
Below: The gaping break in the main highway to Lilydale at Underwood after the Piper River bridge had been washed away.
Bottom: The main street of Lilydale with the flood waters swirling down. The mounds are portions of the footpath, which was torn up.Extensive Damage by Cloudburst in North-East (1937, December 13). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 7 (LATE NEWS EDITION and DAILY). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52174380
CONTINUED PAGE 8
The Cloudburst
BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY
Position at George Town
(Continued from Page Seven)
Other areas outside the Lilydale municipality also experienced flood con ditions. Between Burnside and Dilston the water was over the East Tamar road, through the flooding of creeks, and the road was blocked on Saturday af ternoon at high tide. However, be tween 5 p.m. and midnight the water receded from five feet to 20 inches, and yesterday morning it had dropped to 12 inches and traflic was able to pass.
At its height there was six feet of water over the road.
The swimming pool at George Town suffered some damage. The wall in Dalrymple Creek shutting the fresh water from the pool was carried away. Also portion of the decking of the pool was twisted and some of the hand rails were carried away. However, the actual wall of the pool remained intact and the pool itself suffered little damage.
The Victory bridge dropped slightly the water being more than two feet over the decking at one stage. Over 400 points of rain fell in the 14-mile bridge area between 5.30 and 7 a.m. on Saturday. The water rose 10 feet in two hours and could be heard roaring down the hillsides.
About a mile and a half of road on the Launceston-Scottsdale highway near Patersonia were swept by the flood waters, but the road was kept open. Practically all the way from the Sideling to town debris has been washed down the hillsides and has been piled against the fences on the roadside. Hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been done to the road.
Patrolmen were called out to watch over the sections of flooded areas in the north-east on Saturday afternoon and warned motorists of the state of the roads. The travelling public is still advised to approach all culverts in the areas affected with caution until they have been examined and declared safe by the Public Works Department officers. Major Davies stated yesterday that the response for assistance by high way overseers and patrolmen on Saturday was greatly appreciated.
Higher Than 1929 Flood
In some of the north-eastern areas, particularly in the Cimitiere Plains district, many creeks reached higher levels than in the 1929 flood. In some places the water was over the wire fences.
Heavy rain fell right through to the Currie River. The approaches to the Slaty Creek bridge, which has just been renewed, were washed on both sides. Work will commence on renovations to-day.
About five chains of the Mount George road were carried away, but the culverts and concrete pipes remain intact.
Water was over the road at Ross yesterday, but so far no damage has been done in this district.
Heavy rains were experienced along the East Coast, especially in the Swansea district. The Meredith River, a mile from Swansea, was swollen.
Paddocks were flooded in the Riversdale area, and near Mr. Reg. Lyne's property it crossed the road to such a depth that traffic was unable to pass along the Swansea-Campbell Town highway. On the Swansea-Cranbrook road water stretched for half a mile at Milton, eight miles from Swansea, and cars were stopped. A meeting of the municipal council was to have been held at Swansea on Saturday night, but some members were unable to reach the town owing to the flood, and the meeting had to be postponed. The waters receded yesterday, and the roads were again passable.
At Fingal the South Esk rose 12 feet on Saturday, but no flooding occurred. A good deal of water also came down the North Esk, and at St. Leonards the picnic ground was flooded.
ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT
The Minister for Lands and Works (Major T. H. Davies) visited Lilydale and surrounding districts late on Saturday afternoon. He reported yesterday that the damage at Lilydale to personal property and roads was estimated at £4000.
Seven houses had been damaged by flood waters, and water and silt badly damaged the Methodist Church and parsonage. Practically every road, bridge, and footpath suffered extremely. A large bridge on the Batman road at Turners Marsh was washed away, and the district was isolated.
The approaches to a bridge between Karoola and Bangor had been badly cracked and undermined. The bridge was unsafe for traffic, and the road had been closed. It was estimated that the damage in the Bangor district amounted to £3000.
Major Davies said that he had promised to meet the Lilydale Council on a £1 for £1 principle in repairing the damage in all areas concerned. The damage to the roads, of course, was entirely the responsibility of the Government, and work in restoring them would start immediately.
Last night the Minister communicated with the council clerk (Mr. W. Wilson) and authorised him to spend £100 on the most urgent and necessary road work.
The Warden (Mr. L. A. Proctor) and councillors had asked that the Under wood bridge be replaced as soon as possible. The Minister stated yesterday that after consultation with highway officers it had been decided to erect a temporary structure some distance below the site of the old crossing. A reserve road already led to this place, and it would only be necessary to con struct the bridge. Work on this bridge would be started to-day, and it was expected that the road would again be open to traffic at the end of the week.
Yesterday workmen erected barricades on both sides of the river, and a footbridge was placed across the gap.
In the meantime plans would be prepared for a new bridge on the old site. This bridge would necessarily be larger than the previous one, as the approaches on each side had been washed away several feet and were badly cracked.
In his survey of the district Major Davies was unable to penetrate the more remote parts of Turners Marsh and Karoola, he said. However, it was these lower lands that suffered most. Several sheep had been lost and crops ruined. Mr. P. Arnold's property at Lilydale had been practically devastated.
Mr. C. W. McCarthy, of Karoola, is reported to have lost 30 sheep by drowning. The Piper River rose so rapidly that it was impossible to rescue all the sheep.
The Minister stated that all those people who were rendered homeless would be given work in clearing away the debris and cleaning the houses.
"I wish to thank all those people who assisted in rescuing persons from their homes at the height of the flood, especially Constable Doyle and the Salvation Army officer, Captain Reeve," remarked the Minister. "They showed great bravery, and but for them there was great danger of several persons being drowned.
The Warden, councillors, and general public are also to be commended for the splendid organisation shown, and for their generosity in billeting families who had to leave their homes."
Referring to the George Town district, Major Davies said that creeks in the district were flooded, but the damage was not great. The swimming pool had suffered only a little. The approaches to the Victory Bridge had fallen slightly, but the full extent of the damage would not be known until an inspection was made.
The Cloudburst (continued) BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY (1937, December 13). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 8 (LATE NEWS EDITION and DAILY). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52174251