From the vault: Melbourne underwater – astonishing photos of the ‘Great Flood’ of 1891

When heavy rain burst the banks of the Yarra 130 years ago, Richmond and surrounds were inundated. People were rowing down their streets, thousands were rendered homeless, and three died. Our latest From the vault video offers an extraordinary glimpse into our city, underwater, during this catastrophic weather event.

[redwandennaoui]

Incredible images, thank you for sharing them..

[zooksix]

Melbourne population in 1836 was 177. 1851 was 23, 000. No electricity, no power tools, no motor vehicles. If so much in this time, why isn't half the city in mid-construction..? And Melbourne has the largest subterranean sewer system network in the world. Judge for yourself.

[matthewkornafel]

Part of the reset. Cleaning up the left overs.

[dabradz]

I heard it was a continuous lake through to Warrandyte ..

[Gvnglvndpharaoh]

So the great mud flood really did happen 🤔

[mysmokey]

Someone tell the greens we have floods and not climate change.

[rebeccabriggs]

Blaming Cyclone Gabrielle here in NZ on climate no climate change in 1891