TOTAL: 26 Floods in 50 years !!
7 August 1852 - There was continual heavy rain in the Clare area over a period of 10 hours. This completely washed out all the houses at Clare and Stanley Flats. It was reported a man named Harry James was drowned in the vicinity of Watervale.
11 May 1861 - Continuous rain over three days and nights in Riverton district caused flooding of the Gilbert River.
2 July 1861 - Continuous rains around Riverton flooded the Gilbert River and inundated cellars with some property damage. Farmers were pleased by the rains.
22 December 1861 - Severe storms caused minor flooding of low-lying land around Stockport.
22 July - 1 August 1862 - It was reported that the proprietor of the Clare Castle Inn, Jame Glynne, and his horse were drowned in the flood as they attempted to cross the Light River at Baker's Flat.
27-29 August 1863 - Heavy rainfalls resulted in flooding of the Gilbert and Wakefield Rivers with some damage to property.
5-6 April 1867 - Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain caused extensive flooding over a wide area with considerable property damage. Communities reporting flood damage included Stockport and Riverton.
5-25 September 1867 - The Gilbert River flooded in Saddleworth.
4-9 October 1867 - Other places that reported floods included Clare.
3 January 1870 - Heavy rains and thunderstorms throughout the Mid-North caused flooding in a number of places including Riverton and Saddleworth.
21-26 January 1870 - Heavy rains and floods were reported from around the State with much associated damage. Flood reports included Tarlee.
22 October - 2 November 1870 - Stormy weather and heavy rains were reported from areas including Clare. There was considerable flooding as creeks and rivers overflowed with accompanying property damage. A woman was drowned in the Hutt River at Clare.
19-31 July 1872 Very heavy floods were reported in the North. Heavy rains fell over a period of 2 days with up to 4 inches reported. Streets in Clare were flooded. The Light and Wakefield Rivers flooded.
11-16 January 1874 - A terrific thunderstorm caused a huge flood in Clare, Auburn, Mintaro, Stockport and Saddleworth. Several bridges were washed away. There was considerable property damage at Clare
GREAT FLOODS IN CLARE - 1874
During the last twenty years the matter has been frequently discussed as to whether in the event of a flood of unusual magnitude, Clare from its position would not be inundated. Seasons have rolled on and floods have come, but, save for a few dwellings close on the river, little or no damage has ever been sustained.
Under a feeling of security Clare has gone ahead, and annually several substantial buildings have been erected until it has risen into a town of considerable importance.
Situated in the centre of a rich agricultural and mining district, factories have sprung into existence, and the various trades have multiplied rapidly, so that the present year was welcomed in with mora than ordinary indications of prosperity.
The weather, although unusually dry was reasonable, enabling the agriculturist to gather in the produce of the field in good condition.
On Sunday there were evident signs of a change which was hailed with a feeling of welcome. The atmosphere seemed charged with electricity, and the contending elements portended a storm; brilliant streams of electrical fire darted forth from cloud to cloud, and the loud peals of thunder appeared to be overhead while the echo rumbled among the surrounding hills.
The rain descended in torrents, and increased to such an extent that in a short time the creeks were overflowing.
The Hutt River could not contain the mighty volume of water, and it soon spread over the narrow valley on which the town is situated, and as all the small tributaries discharged their contents the furious flood rushed forth to do its work of destruction.
Some persons apprehensive of danger left their houses, but before any precautions could be taken to save property the river rose so high as to overflow the whole town.
The main, street became like the channel of a river, and large trees were borne along as if they were very playthings. All the stores and business places had from two to three feet of- water in them, so that not only the goods that were in cellars were destroyed, but a vast amount of stock besides. The loss to storekeepers alone must be over £2000, and many families in circumstances of comfort have lost considerably.
All the bridges are damaged, and the bridge in Lennox Street will have to undergo repair before it is safe for traffic.
From rising ground on the west side of the town we had a view of the flood while at its height, and it was distressing to see the havoc it was making and the fright the people were in.
Men walking to the middle in water were carrying children and women to places of safety, and horses and pigs were turned out in order that they might have a chance of escape.
Fences, stockyards, and sheds were swept away, and men and boys were to be seen on the roofs of some houses in low situations, while piles of cases were floating ,down the streets.
Miss Lipsett's seminary, situated on rising ground between the river and a tributary, was unapproachable, and some anxiety was manifested for the safety of the inmates as the waters rose up to the floor level.
The fruit frees in the garden were wholly submerged, and a house occupied by Mr. Akers was nearly carried away, as only the roof was to be seen. It was fortunate
the occupants fled on the first appearance of danger otherwise the family must have been drowned.
The English and Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank (above), a large two-storey building, has been injured to some extent, as the water has caused the foundation on the north side to settle, and the wall has bulged out, and it is feared that it will come down.
The flagging on the footpaths in several places was washed up, and the foundations of some buildings were almost undermined.
Towards the north end of the town danger was more manifest, the buildings being in close proximity to the main stream, and the ground being somewhat lower, the force of the current was greater, and logs and fencing were dashed against the houses with great fury.
In the Commercial Hotel (above right) and other houses in the same locality the water was over the beds, and much property was destroyed.
Mr. Harmer (the butcher) turned out his pigs, some of which were carried down the stream while others had enough to do to keep their heads above water.
The flood gradually subsided towards evening, and about 6 o'clock we were able to cross the foot bridge on the south side of the town, the railing of which was all gone, but the foot planks were firm.
The town presented a sad spectacle. Men and women, drenched in wet, were baling out water, while others were carrying furniture and bedding outside. Storekeepers with all available help were removing their goods and emptying cellars.
The calamity has cast quite a gloom over the neighbourhood, for although the loss will fall heavily on a few, yet the residents as a whole will suffer also, and it will be some time before Clare recovers its former position.
It was thought that the Clare Hotel, being a massive and lofty building, would, on account of its weight, have settled a little in some parts, more especially as the current was strong upon it; but there is no sign of crack or flaw in any part of the' building, which shows that the structure is a substantial one.
The Corporation have something before them—in fact that body would require a special grant of £1,000 to be able to do justice-to the town. We believe that the river could be made to carry a much greater volume of water if some labour was bestowed on it.
Inchiquin bridge, as it is constructed, is a great barrier, and prevents the flow of water. Having only one span it is not wide enough to allow a free flow, and in this instance the water was dammed back to the manifest injury of property.
Now that the bridge will have to undergo repair it would he well to give another span to it and otherwise improve the banks. We do not mean to affirm that the bridge was the cause of the water submerging the town; yet, at the same time, it is evident that the span is not of sufficient width to carry the volume of water in time of floods.
It was fortunate that the storm did not last long, and that it occurred during the day. Had it been in the dark there is not the slightest doubt that lives would have been sacrificed, as people would not have known which way to go for shelter, and help could not have been so readily obtainable as it was during the day.
No person ever witnessed Clare in such a flooded state before (but see news clippings at top), and it is possible another such storm may not soon occur.
Farmers in the neighbourhood have also sustained loss, having wheat washed away and miles of fencing besides. Gardens have also suffered considerably; large fruit trees were washed down the stream, several of which are now stuck against houses and fences.
Mr. Kimber's garden on Stanley Flat has suffered most—orange and other trees
having been carried off altogether. It is impossible to estimate the loss in this district.
Hill River was also very much swollen, and has done a great amount of damage to Mr. Fisher's property.
From every direction- we hear of wreck and ruin, for the waters rose so suddenly that no precautions whatever were taken. At Donnybrook gardens are destroyed, and fruit trees and-fences washed away.
A spring cart was swept away from Mr. Pryor's workshop and dashed to pieces, and other articles of less value were also borne away with the stream.
Further up the river some of the farmers sustained serious loss, but Mr. FT Bray is the greatest sufferer in that direction. His wheat was all reaped and in heaps, and the whole of it was carried clean away.
At Sevenhill the rain poured down in torrents, and Mr. N. Richardson lost fourteen bags of wheat; Mr. Jacob's tan pits were swamped, and his loss is considerable.
Penwortham and Watervale escaped without much injury being done to property —roads and bridges however, were greatly damaged.
At Leasingham the flood was frightful and the inmates of houses along the creek had enough to do to save themselves. A great many of the houses were submerged, and several families have had their property destroyed.
On Monday afternoon Clare was again thrown into a state, of the greatest excitement. Huge thunder clouds overspread the sky, and almost darkened the face of nature as the rain came down with great fury.
A repetition of Sunday's flood was anticipated, and preparations were quickly made to ward off the water: doors were blocked up, and the entrance to cellars covered with all possible haste.
The water rushed along the streets, and men were hurrying to-and-fro to render assistance.
The river again rose considerably, but did not overflow its banks. The storm gradually passed away and the water subsided, to the great relief of all who were within its sweep. The rainfall on Sunday in Clare was 4.562 inches, and on Monday 1.470 inches.
7-17 June 1875 - Heavy Rains over 9 days caused widespread flooding. The Hutt River overflowed its banks at Clare cutting all communication to the south. A woman, Catherine Eganwas drowned. At Riverton, the main street and some of the local shops and residences were flooded.
11-16 February 1877 - Torrential rain and thunderstorms were reported from around the State. This led to short term flooding in Mid-North towns including Riverton, Clare and Auburn.
18-26 March 1877 - Widespread rains were reported in many areas of South Australia. Serious flooding was reported in Clare and Saddleworth.
21-26 September 1877- Near Clare, a man and his horse drowned trying to cross Skillogallee Creek. The Hutt River flooded with a loss of bridges.
17-29 July 1878 - Areas north of Adelaide reported rain and winds for a period of days. This led to reports of flooding and damage in many communities including Clare.
10-11 January 1881 - Heavy rain accompanied by wind led to serious floods in Clare with accompanying property damage. Auburn, Riverton and Watervale reported flooding.
Eyre Creek flooded at Watervale 1910 16-28 June 1883 - Heavy rains occurred over a period of days with up to 3 inches in a single downpour. Flooding was reported in Clare. Bridges were washed away crops were lost and property damaged.
26-29 July 1883 - Gales and rain caused flooding around Clare.
21-22 June 1887 - Heavy rains caused the Wakefield River to overflow and flood causing some property damage.
1-6 April 1889 - Thunderstorms and widespread heavy rains , measuring 4-5 inched, caused problems in many districts of South Australia. The Gilbert and tributary creeks overflowed. Flooding was reported from Riverton to Blyth.
20-28 January 1890 - Scattered thunderstorms and torrential rain were reported north of Adelaide. Over 5.5 inches fell on Stockport Creek and 4 inches at Stockport, where homes were flooded causing significant damage. The Rivers Light, Gilbert and Wakefield, broke their banks and caused flooding in various country towns and country from Hoyleton to Balaklava.
1-8 February 1890 - Flooding reports came from the Mid-North with damage to roads, fences, telegraph lines, railway lines and other property.
TOTAL: 26 Floods in 50 years !!
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