Hurricane in Florida.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18802, 21 September 1926, Page 9

Hurricane in Florida.

TOWNS WIPED OUT.

Population Homeless and Foodless.

The coast of Florida has been swept by an unprecedented hurricane, and the loss of life is estimated at more than 1000, while damage to property is stated to be over 100,000,000 dollars. Some 5000 are believed to be injured. A strip of the coast 50 miles in length is devastated, and life in the fashionable southern watering places of the U.S. is at a complete standstill. The streets of the various towns are full of debris, while communication with the outside world has been almost completely cut off. ;BY CABLE —PRESS 4SSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT.) (AtTSTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Rented September 20th, 9.1.5 p.m.) PALM BEACH, September 19. Deaths approximating 500, property iisatffi estimated at between 25,000,500 and 125,000,000 dollars, more tlun 38,000 people homeless, ajnd many in urgent need of food supplies, is the toll of the hurricane which raged along fte lower Florida coast on Friday and Saturday. The Miami district and Fort Lauderililebore the brunt of the storm. Water is flowing through Miami streets and practically every business place is damjwd.' Drinking water is not available, ,nd tie electrio light is out of commission. In response to urgent apmls, doctors, nurses, and supplies of rater were hurried to Miami from outside points. Originating in the Bahama Islands, IHe hurricane struck on Friday night, ind for nine hours raged over the Miami district, leaving destruction, and desolation in its train. Miami Beach ns swept by a 125-mile wind, and fares surged over the place hero. The present estimate of the deaths is 150, while there are 80 more in Miami. Undertakers are unable to handle so many dead. The scene in the towns is almost beyond imiption. Huge skyscrapers and boiiK&i houses are shorn of windows tt/pkte glass fronts, and thousand} rf dollars worth of merchandise is reawi The streets are cluttered lotslk with the debris, so that they in. isjpassable. Tangled wires are lying in erery thoroughfare, with broken poles, nprooted trees, furniture, and fcawlahed automobiles, all testifying to the fury of the storm. Communication with the outside mrld was severed early on Friday aight.

When the storm reached its peak, dipping at Miami suffered greatly, tore than 250 boats, coastwise ittanKrs, and palatial yachts being damaged, and more than 150 smaller mft in the exposed bay in front of tke town were hurled out of the water and crashed to splinters on the shore. In Hollywood, a product of the r »- wit development era, streets were demolished and buildings wrecked, while j flae debris lies everywhere. Only a jtogle structure in the town, a 31ajwiic temple, remained standing. Ih« police are unable to cope I lift the situation, so the military have tt« temporary control.