In the valley below Mount Cargill there was a thunderous roar. In less than five minutes huge bodies of water came rushing down sweeping everything before them. It was divided into two streams with one coming down Woodhaugh Valley into Leith and the other down Lindsay's Creek.

Water from Lindsay's Creek and from the opposite hillsides spread from head to foot over North East Valley.

Within a few minutes water was pouring over footways, into gardens then into houses. It was rushing in at the back and the front and through windows and in many cases banking up inside to a height of 3-4 ft (0.91-1.22m).

Lindsay's Creek overflowed its bank and had a discharge of 1000 cusecs (28 cumecs).

Pine Hill Creek was in heavy flood.

Water of Leith was in high flood was running many feet over its banks. It had a flood discharge at George Street estimated at 3000 cusecs (85 cumecs).

It was the biggest flood on the Leith known for at least 25 years.

The combined floodwaters from the Leiths tributaries were tearing down through North East Valley and Woodhaugh.

The flood level of the Water of Leith was ten feet (3m) or more above normal level. The waters reached within a foot or two of the cross beams of the lower bridges.

The flood attained its maximum height at approximately 4pm but then subsided rapidly.

The North East Valley and Woodhaugh suffered severely with houses inundated and gardens laid to waste.

Flooding at the Gardens was so extensive that trams were unable to get through.

Extensive damage was done to dwellings, gardens, bridges, pavements and street channels.

The flood was unique in its suddenness and violence.

There was very heavy damage sustained to both public and private property.

It was estimated that the repair works would cost £1000 ($148,800 2009 dollars).

Huge trees were uprooted from hillsides, the ground in the track of the flood was torn and potatoes were uprooted.

Fowls were destroyed by the hundreds and many dogs and cats drowned.

At Bishopsgrove a rivulet turned into raging river 100 yards (91m) wide and several feet deep.

Immense boulders were swept along with logs, fences, branches and walls of sheds. One boulder which was carried down measured over one yard square.

Telegraph poles were snapped off.

Just below Woodhaugh Paper Mills the water was blocked with debris. Water surged into neighbours houses to over 4 ft (1.22m).

Woodhaugh bridge was submerged and a small bridge spanning Proctor's Creek was washed away.

Roads were scoured out for distance of 7 to 8 chains (140-160m).

Three or four settlers were almost isolated.

The main North East Valley road was one unbroken sheet of water and was 3-5 ft (0.91-1.52m) deep in some places.

The havoc was complete in less than half an hour.

Water that rushed down hillsides along the main road from the direction of Normanby swept into hundreds of houses at the back and front leaving the occupants knee-deep.

Water swept iron tanks from stands for several yards and large iron pipes out of their setting.

Silt and slime of 1-3 ft (0.3-0.91m) was left in shops, houses and gardens once flood waters receded.

Below George Street The Leith deposited water and debris in a garden and pavement which was 12-15 ft (3.7-4.6m) above its normal level.

At the Leith Street bridge, water was 10-12 ft (3.0-3.7m) above normal.

A fishing boat moored at the mouth of The Leith was reported missing.

Water poured down hillsides in torrential streams, washing out sections, undermining dwellings and leaving gaping holes.

An immense volume of water from Signal Hill, burst through the rear of Clarke's laundry. There was approximately 3 ft (0.91m) of water inside and a hole had to be knocked in wall so it could escape.

The main road and side streets were a rushing river for almost three hours. Carr and Selwyn Street and Main street were inundated with flood waters.

There was severe damage done to roads and footpaths with some footpaths completely washed away in places.

The flooding was serious enough to do considerable damage and to compel many people to evacuate their dwellings.

People had to wade through 3 ft (0.91m) deep flood waters.