Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Tuesday 9 August 1932, page 1


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BIG VOLUME OF WATER STILE IN THE MIDLANDS Floods Are Receding in Other Areas COOROW AND CARNAMAH NORMAL Railway Coniniunication Probable on Thursday

A RISING WATER level in Moora township was the most serious feature today of the floods in the Midlands districts. The progress down the Moore River of a huge volume of water which had caused flooding in districts further north, such as Coorow, Three Springs and Carnamah, has accentuated the position in Moora, while bringing relief elsewhere.

The water receded in Moora last night, but about 1 a.m. today commenced to rise again, and at midday had passed the highest level registered yesterday. Apart from Moora, however, the position is generally improved, much of the water which reached Moora last night and today having come from other 'y flooded areas, most of which were back to normal today. Three Springs, Coorow and Carnamah, ; which were seriously flooded yesterday were f ree . : of water today. Coorow yesterday feared that the town dam would burst, but with the recession of the water yesterday afternoon that danger soon passed, and people who had to leave their homes returned to them last night. . ' . ' The floods caused considerable damage to roads, footpaths, shops and dwellings, but it ;is as: yet impossible to estimate its extent. The receding of the water has i. given rail^ay^^prk^^^ men the opportunity to commence repairs on: the 'i sections of the Geraldton line which were washed away, It is expected that repairs will be completed in time to allow of the resumption of normal traffic on Thursday. It is possible that a. train will be able to get through tomorrow. Moora Shop Floors Still Under Water

Generally the position in the flooded Midlands districts is considerably improved today. In each of the flooded townships, with the exception of Moora, the water receded rapidly last night and today. The torrential downpour of tho week-end swelled the rivers and creeks to unprecedented proportions, but with a cessation of the rain the levels dropped as rapidly as they had risen. yesterday Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, and the districts surrounding them, were almost whollv under water; today, although the ground was saturated, there was nothing in the nature of a flood, the water which caused the flooding, yesterday having commenced its southward journey. RELIEF, THEN RELAPSE Moora, too, gained some relief between sunset and midnight, and at the latter hour so much of the water had found its way to the lower reaches of the Moore River— which, incidentally, had dropped 7ft. at Mogumber today — that, shop floors t/hich yesterday were a loot under water were drv. But not for long. At 1 a.m. the v.ater coming down from the north and north-east reached Moora. which -s built on flat country. The water rose rapidly in the early hours of the mornins. and by the time for opening up for business water was entering the front of the shops and leaving at the back. Gardineretreet ,the town's main thoroughfare, was completely under waterWHAT OF THE CROPS? Apart from the damage done by the flood waters to roads and footpaths, assessment of which cannot yet be made, it is feared that the floods may cause havoc among the crops in the districts immediately surrounding Moora, Three Springs, Carnamah, Coorow and Mingincw. The season in this area has been partcularly good, and the crops are v.cll advanced, but whether they are sufficently advanced to withstand the flooding of the last couple of days remains

to be seen. It is felt In the locality that much will depend on the weather during the coming week. A warm, dry spell would do much to return the crops to their former healthy condition. RAILWAY DAMAGE The floods played havoc with the Midland Railway Co.'s line, but the recession of the waters has allowed workmen to set to work on repairs. Two ballast trains are being employed, and a big break between Carnamah and Three Springs has already been fixed. Another bad washaway near Coorow has yet to be repaired, but it is expected that this and other small defects will be safe for a resumption of normal traffic on Thursday. It is possible that a train will gel. through tomorrow. The mail train from Geraldton. due to leave today by the Midland line, was cancelled, but one left Geraldton for Perth today, via Wongan Hills. It is bringing the mails from the train held up yesterday, and is due in Perth at midday tomorrow. A train left Midland Junction for Watheroo at 3 p.m. today. ROAD BLOCKAGES The downpour, which extended with less severity over the greater portion of the wheat areas, has caused blockages on many main roads. The rain wa& heavy at Merredin and entailed a considerable stoppage of road traffic. Motorists found their cars frequently submerged almost to the headlights, and help had to be obtained in many cases to extricate vehicles. Whilst the roadway adjoining the railway line was partially submerged, the railway line suffered no damage, and traffic was not hampered in any way, the normal service being maintained. The main roads in the Merredin district have suffered considerably. On the Perth side of Merredin the road was flooded at many points. In the vicinity of Meckering the damage is considerable. Water-covered surfaces extend for considerable distances, and road traffic is impossible. EIGHT INCHES IN FIVE WEEKS Mr. E. J. Taylor, manager of the Meckering Co-op. Ltd., stated today that the recent rainfalls had been the heaviest encountered at Meckering for the past nine years. There had been eight inches in the past five weeks. Nearby roads were under water and the streets of the township were in a sodden condition. The approaches to a bridge about two miles on the Pei*th side of Meclicring were covered with water, although the bridge itself appeared to be quite safe. The road from Perth to Merredin is in bad condition generally, and that from Merredin to Burracoppin in a particularly- bad stats. Prom Burracoppin to Southern Cross bad conditions prevail, the clay roads being extremely slippery and dangerous after the heavy rainfalls. : Advice received by th-- touring department of the Royal -Automobile Club indicated that the NonhamGoomalllngToodyay area had received an overgenerous share of the heavy rains.' Reports stated that the road from Northam to Goomalling, that from Toodyay to Goomalling and that from Toodyay to Northam was impassable. The main roaci between Northam and York is stated to be very wet and may be assumed to be in only fair condition. Information received from New Norcia indicated that roads in the vicinity of New Norca and Mogumber arc floodec. and impassable to traffic -— — ii — ~ -~- ~u-i4«v ha oaee 2)