HAVOC IN FLORIDA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22438, 19 September 1947, Page 5

HAVOC IN FLORIDA

HURRICANE'S PATH CITRUS GROWERS LOSS AIRCRAFT WRECKED (Noon) NEW YORK, Sept 18. The hurricane battered Fiondas farming areas and the Everglades yesterday, cutting a path of destruction from 'Port Lauderdale westward to Fort Myers, with gusts of wind up to 100 miles an hour. One person was killed and at least nine are reported missing thus far. Widespread looting of‘shops is reported in Miami where the police shot one looter and arrested six others. The hurricane struck with full force between Miami and Palm Beach about noon and moved inland. The latest reports indicate that the hurricane has whipped away westward from southern California towards the Gulf of Mexico. . The city manager of Miami reported tonight, through the naval radio facilities, that Miami escaped today s hurricane with only minor damage and no loss of life. , , East coast citrus growers estimated their losses at millions of dollars, but said the largest citrus producing areas would probably be spared. Twelve commercial aircraft were dashed to pieces at Miami airport. Army engineers reported that dykes of the rain-swollen Lake Okeechobee were kept holding firm against tremendous pressure and 95 miles an hour winds. There would be no recurrence of the 1923 disaster. A trainload of 800 weary and frightened refugees reached Sebring from the Lake Okeechobee region. Their arrival ended fears for the refugees’ safety which arose earlier when two special trains were delayed at Palm Beach. The Red Cross announced that it had evacuated more than 23,000 people from the path of the storm and had also arranged 188 stout shelters for refugees. ____