Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) 6 Mar 1946 Page 1:
Source: NLA Trove (online) Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) 6 Mar 1946 Page 1
FLOOD IN TOWNSVILLE GREATEST IN MEMORY : DAMAGE MANY THOUSANDS
Water 15 Ft Deep In Parts
TOWNSVILLE, March 5.-Residents of 60 years stated that the flood in Townsville was the greatest in memory, affecting areas previously re-garded as above any possibility of flooding. The damage done by the flood in the city will run into many thousands until the flood waters recede, as many houses in the Hermit Park area are still submerged. Some householders lost the greater part of their furniture, which was swept out of their houses. Officials, however, estimate the damage at £200,000 in the city area.
In parts of South Townsville the water was as high as 15 ft. above the road level. The Causeway Hotel, on the bank of the Ross River, had 30 inches of water over the bar counter. With inches of silt and other flood deposits in their homes, many residents of suburban areas of Townsville today were unable to obtain town water with which to clean their houses.
The water shortage has been caused not by any damage to the weirs, but by the submersion of the pumps which line the bank of the Ross River and which have been in water, mud and silt. The wet motors of the pumps will have to be replaced with dry motors before pumping can be resumed. The city is still without gas, which is not expected to be available until Wednesday.
More stories on the 1946 flood are here: Flood was nothing like the old days…… and Ross Island history
Mudpicker Family 