The Walcha News of January 18, 1962, said: “The most disastrous flood in living memory hit Walcha at lunch time on Friday causing damage estimated at a quarter of million pounds.
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Water stretched for half a mile in Fitzroy Street extending from Lovett’s store in the east to the Walcha News office in the west.”
Thirty-nine homes and 40 business houses were flooded.
The original clubhouse at the Walcha Bowling Club was lifted from its foundations and deposited some 200 yards away on the Walcha Park Oval.
A cottage in Angle Street was moved about 20 yards with only the brick chimney remaining in its original location.
Ernie Maguire said the water reached three feet above the floor in his stock and station agency on the corner of Fitzroy and Derby Streets.
“The water was well over the top of the desks and almost to the top of the counter. We lost all our records. I have been here 30 years and this is the biggest flood in that time.”
Athol Dunn’s story shows how rapidly the waters rose: “I was working at Tia that day and brought a fellow into the hospital to get treatment for a dog bite.
“I don’t recall the river being up when I crossed the Fitzroy Street bridge.
“I bought some bread on the way home to Croudace Street and the town was flooded by the time I got there, no more than five minutes later.”
Alf Kelly was trapped in his Derby Street shop, as were Arthur and Edna Drage in their shop next door.
The Drages climbed through a manhole and took refuge in the ceiling space while Alf smashed through his door with an axe to let the waters escape.
Frank Brazel, who was working with Alf Towers at the New Royal Hotel, said: “The cellar flooded within two or three minutes and Alf and I spent some time trying to rescue cartons of spirits from it.
“It was not long before empty beer barrels were being washed down the river together with anything else that floated, including stock from many of the town’s business houses.”