Never in the history of Moruya has such a disaster befallen it, as the one which happened during the week when the whole of the lowlands were completely submerged by floodwaters
Moruya Examiner May 30, 1925
On 5th May 1925, Moruya was struck by the most devastating natural disaster in its recorded history. Between the 5th and 20th of May, 13 inches (330.2 mm) of rain fell. After a brief reprieve of four days of fine weather, an extraordinary 19 inches and 31 points—nearly 490 mm—was recorded over a further four-day period, beginning on Sunday 24 May. Driven by powerful winds, the torrential rain caused the Moruya River to burst both its banks and overtop the bridge, triggering widespread and destructive flooding throughout the region.
The resulting floodwaters surged through the town and surrounding districts, submerging low-lying areas and triggering mass evacuations. Streets like Campbell and Queen, along with the Mullenderree area, were hit hardest. Many residents had to be rescued by boat, some in harrowing, life-threatening circumstances.
Local heroes—among them Dr. Cutler, Mr. Feneley, Sergeant Rose, Allan Louttit, and J. Turnbull Jr.—braved the treacherous conditions to rescue families trapped by the rising waters. Around midnight, the river overflowed both banks, flooding homes right up to the Hotel Adelaide. People took refuge on rooftops and in public buildings as properties were inundated, livestock perished, and possessions were swept away.
The damage across Moruya and its rural surroundings was catastrophic. Entire businesses lost their stock, buildings were destroyed, and infrastructure was severely impacted. Roads and bridges were rendered impassable. The SS Bermagui narrowly avoided disaster, eventually coming to rest in a safe location.
As the waters receded, scenes of devastation emerged: families wading through mud-filled homes, livestock carcasses tangled in fences and trees, debris piled high against buildings, and fencing left in ruins.
Mr. A.H. Preddey suffered greatly, with the floodwaters wrecking the Amusu Theatre. His expensive pianola was submerged, and the film Feet of Clay—screened the night before—was reduced to “feet of mud.” Roads to the Deua and Araluen districts were heavily damaged, cutting off access and delaying recovery.
In the aftermath, the community responded with remarkable resilience. While the road to recovery would be long, their determination reflected the strength of the local spirit. Farmers faced enormous losses. Some lands were enriched by silt deposits, but others were buried under feet of sand and debris.
The timber industry ground to a halt, leaving many unemployed, and dairying was severely impacted, with milk production dropping from 800 to just 200 gallons per day.
Homes, gardens, and livestock were destroyed, and clean water became scarce. Many households lost their rainwater tanks or found them contaminated with silt. Amid the chaos, stories of survival offered glimpses of hope: a loyal dog in Mullenderee rode out the flood on a couch and was found two days later on debris near Malabar Bridge; a boy discovered a flood-swept cheque and milk book far from home.
Some residents, like Mr. H. Davis and Mrs. T. Williams, lost nearly everything, but the community rallied with acts of kindness and solidarity. Churches opened their grounds for displaced livestock, and townspeople worked tirelessly to save what they could. Others were stranded in isolation for days, enduring terrifying storms and flooding with no food.
Mr McKeon, who had been camping near his mine at Dwyers Creek, was stranded for two days without food. Amid the storm, he recalled hearing a loud report—distinct from the thunder—which he believed was the sound of a cloudburst, as torrential rain followed immediately after.
The nearby creek, normally 25 feet wide and 4 feet deep during a flood, swelled dramatically to 100 yards wide and 20 feet deep.
“Never will I forget that fearful Tuesday night. The roar of the waters, the pealing of thunder, the flashing of lightning and the crashing of huge trees all around were terrifying in the extreme.”
Mr Mc Keon, Dwyers Creek mine
The financial cost was staggering, with damages estimated to exceed £40,000—a massive sum at the time. The flood devastated generations of agricultural work, but it also revealed the deep well of courage, endurance, and community spirit that defines the Moruya region. Despite unimaginable loss, the people stood together, determined to rebuild and recover.
Articles from the MDHS Journal
- Tremendous Flood in Moruya – Moruya Examiner 30 May 1925
- Aftermath of the Flood – Moruya Examiner 6 June 1925
Other Observations
MORUYA and District Historical Society Blog 
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