August 1912 was a terrible time for the population of Bectan Sands and Rivermouth. It was on a Friday evening after a week of rain, that the flood started.
The rains continued to fall, and the wind got stronger blowing at a gale. On the Saturday the rain still fell down. Ten centimetres alone during the day. The river was swollen and started to flood the surrounding lands. The farm lost all its crops as the fields turned to water.
The gale whipped up the Western ocean, and the waves started crashing into and over the cliffs. The locals sheltered in the sturdiest structure - the lighthouse - all Saturday night fearing the worst. Down in Rivermouth, the harbour was battered non stop and many of the fishing boats sank in the safety of the harbour walls. The river level rose rapidly as the flood waters raced through, cutting off many of the houses along the riverbank.
It was a storm that would never be forgotten.
by Angelika
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