JAMAICA FLOODS

Northern Advocate, 18 August 1933, Page 7

JAMAICA FLOODS

FOLLOW TERRIFIC STORM HOUSEHOLDERS TRAPPED. SEVENTY DEATHS OCCUR. MUCH MATERIAL. HAVOC. (United Press Association —By EiectrlJ Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) VANCOUVER, August 16.

A message .from Kingston, Jamaica, states that 70 people were drowned today in floods in that city and the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Mary, following a storm. The damage caused is estimated at 2,000,000,000 dollars. Bridges and buildings were swept away and banana plantations were levelled. The storm, which lasted sis hours, is described as the worst experienced in Jamaica for 80 years. The water rose as high as six feet in the streets, rushed through dwellings and washed away many occupants who had been trapped in them.

THIRTY-EIGHT FATALITIES. TRAFFIC WAYS BLOCKED. KING GEORGE’S SYMPATHY. . - « (British Official Wireless.) (Received ,Ip.m.) RUGBY, August 16. A telegram from the Governor of Jamaica states that an exceptionally heavy storm struck Kingston, St. Andrew, on the night of August 16. The death roll is .38, , Very serious damage w T as done to roads and bridges and private property, All roads leading out of Kingston are blocked and the witter supply is interrupted, . . . The railway service has stopped, but it ,is hoped to be able to resume within the next 48 hours.

Reports from the country' are scarce, but it would seem that the main force- of the storm was centred on the parishes- of .Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine. By the command of the King, the secretary : of the Colonies, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, has telegraphed to the Governor of Jamaica expressing the deep regret with which His Majesty had learned ' of the severe storm which had caused heavy loss of life, and conveying to the sufferers an expression of his profound sympathy.