Red-brown sea in Waterfall Gully

In September 1931, the narrow creeks of the eastern suburbs broke their banks. Waterfall Gully Road turned into a red-brown sea and the threat of a landslide in the hills felt imminent. Water coursed through the streets, sweeping through gardens while residents scrambled to protect their homes. In some instances, houses flooded to the ceiling.

Despite the estimated thousands of pounds of damage, some of the community enjoyed the event. People watched the spectacle from the banks of the Torrens or paddled their canoes and dinghies onto the newly formed lakes.

Photographs from the Local History Collection show the floods at Kensington Road, Portrush Road and Hazelwood Park.