FLOOD HAVOC IN CALIFORNIA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22344, 7 March 1938, Page 9

FLOOD HAVOC IN CALIFORNIA

* MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES ISOLATED DEATH-ROLL NOW PLACED' AT 175 (UNITED PRISB ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 6, 11.55 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, March 5. At least 175 persons are at present dead and missing in the Californian flood disaster. Thirty thousand square miles in South California are still isolated. The water is receding and the weather is clearing after four days of cloudbursts, but many towns are yet without power and unlighted, and some are half-submerged by ebbing waters. Bridges and out roads are blocked by landslides, and 1000 people are homeless. The water has broken through the canal five miles north of Fresno and is threatening to inundate the city. Fresno is 200 miles north-west of Los Angeles, and is far removed from the South California flood area.

The population of Los Angeles was again terrified last night, when thunder, boomed and rain began to fall. Hundreds who had returned to their half-flooded homes fled back to the municipal auditorium, where they had been refugees for two whole days. Forecasts were broadcast, however, that the rain was merely local. The weather is clear to-day. The fate of 500 marooned and isolated mountain' communities is not certain, in spite of attempts by aeroplanes to make contact with the area. One hundred towns in the stricken area are all badly hitThe dead in Los Angeles alone total 13. The cinema studios are rapidly returning to normal, in spite of huge losses. ___________