DIRE CALAMITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 107, 9 May 1927, Page 7

DIRE CALAMITY.

BLOW FOLLOWS BLOW.

'Quakes and Tornadoes in Wake

of Floods.

AMERICA'S DISASTER.

By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyrlgftt.i

NEW YORK, May 8.

The anxiety caused by the floods in the Mississippi Valley has been increased by the news that earthquakes and tornadoes have been experienced in five States traversed by the Mississippi River, and also in Alabama.

Two towns in the flooded area have been shaken. The fear is entertained that other shocks may weaken the levees and then add to the gravity of the situation.

Reports received yesterday from the flooded areas stated that the greatest test of the levees would shortly be made.

The main crest of the swollen Mississippi was then about one-fifth of a mile below Vicksburg. It had gathered very great strength and there was a bulge of water about a foot in height over a stretch of 50 miles.

So great was the volume of water pouring through the funnel represented by the confluence of the Mississippi and other rivers that the southern section of the State' was seriously threatened and relief work in that zone was being impeded.

At Ancola and Baton Roupe a rise of one-tenth of a foot in water was reported. Furtfeer south, at Donaldsville. the increase was one-fifth of a foot.

At New Orleans the river showed a height of 20.4 ft yesterday and if the waters sink to 20ft the city would be saved. It is problematical, however, whether the vast convergence of waters, as they approach the Gulf of Mexico, can flow off fast enough to avoid piling over the barriers which protect the southern end of the city.

The breaches in the levees at various parts of the river are growing larger every hour, or new ones are formed as the waters surge heavily against these barriers.

Vast Areas Under W-ter. About 12,000 square miles of country are under water in the southern flood areas and 330,000 persons have either left their homes or are marooned, according to a statement issued by Mr. H. C. Hoover, Secretary of Commerce.

The areas which have been flooded are estimated as follows:—Louisiana, 3400 square miles; Mississippi, 2000; Arkansas, 4000; Missouri, 1500. The population of these districts is 330,000, of whom 180,000 have been removed and 150,000 are marooned in the upper floors of their homes or on ridges.

The crest of the flood is moving at a rate of abont 40 miles a day. It has about 400 miles to go before it will spend its force in the Gulf of Mexico, and 6000 square miles of land in Louisiana are still in danger of being flooded.

Between 5000 and 6000 refugees are still huddled together on the river embankment at Tensas, Louisiana. They chose to remain in their homes when the break came, but were compelled to retreat to the levee when 20ft of water flooded their houses.

Some of these people are still determined to remain and refuse to leave in spite of the appeals of the relief crews.