FIFTY MILES A DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 105, 6 May 1927, Page 7

FIFTY MILES A DAY

FLOOD CREST ADVANCES

LOUISIANA INUNDATED

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Keceivcd 6th May, 10 a.m.)

NEW O'ELEANS, sth May. The crest of tho Mississippi River flood is moving southward at the rate of 50 miles a day, leaving an increasingly large expanse of inundated territory in its wake. The water is pouring through the new breaks in the lovees covering the entire north-west portion of the State of Louisiana. Although the crest is already past that point, the flood there is joining the backwaters of the Arkansas River. Thousands of labourers are working to save the levees along the Old and Red Rivers, and the Bayou Dcs Glaises, which are already virtually doomed. Breaks in any of these places would add thirteen parishes to the inundated area, bringing half 'the State under water. A fresh break,occurred in the levee protecting Rayville and the waters are pouring into the negro section.

It is estimated that the whole town will be covered before to-morrow. The fresh inundations expected will bring the total flooded area to tho vicinity of 18,000 square miles, and swell the number of homeless to over half a million.

Meanwhile, the authorities are concentrating on rescuing 14,000 persons marooned on high ground in the Tensas parish— people who refused to ' leave their homes.when warned. They will have to be removed in boats. Tho rescue workers report that the greatest difficulties are being experienced in persuading victims, especially negroes, to leave. Many arc at the danger point. These when ultimately removed are invariably found to be suffering severely from exposure and hunger.