MAJOR CALAMITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 March 1936, Page 7

MAJOR CALAMITY

FLOODS IN UNITED STATES QUARTER OF AREA UNDER WATER PROPERTY DAMAGE INCAL* CULABLE LOSS OF LIFE MAY EXCEED 1000 200,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED. /United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) (Received 21st March, 8.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, 19th March. With a quarter of the area of the United States under water, the flood ranks with the major calamities of the history of the nation. Property damage is incalculable, and the loss of life may exceed 1000. President Roosevelt issued a P^ Ia “ a = tion indicating the existence of a state of national emergency. He ask d donations of 3,000,000 dollar* Iron citizens to the Red Cross, and stated that 200,000 homeless persons would have to be cared for. Even as the President signed the proclamation thousands of workers were struggling to erect bulwarks against the waters of the Potomac, which are rapidly approaching White House itself. In fourteen States 104 cities have reported themselves flooded, with Essential services crippled. As the flood receded in the north, areas to the south began to feel its full ,force. The situation was further aggravated by torrential rains throughout New York and New England. This started second waves piling i down the valleys, and threatened a second flood in all those places already prostrated. GRAVE FEARS FOR VERNON DAM Grave fears are felt for the Vernon dam, impounding the headwaters of the Connecticut river protecting Hartford and other populous centres. Unless it stops raining there is every danger that a great part of New England will be completely devastated.

The Ohio valley is still being' hashed by high waters, Pittsburgh already hav. ing been subjected to the full force of the great flood. Cincinnati was the next large metropolitan centre to feel its effects. News from that cifiy at present is meagre. ANOTHER GREAT DUST STORM While the East suffered floods, despatches from the West brought news of another great dust storm threatening again to turn the area into a desert of black choking clouds. Dust is being driven across thousands of miles of territory in Oklahoma. Colorado, Kansas, Nc-w Mexico and Texas. Three counties in Oklahoma reported that the entire wheat crop was blown out of the ground. DANGER OF EPIDEMICS The danger of epidemics has became one of the biggest problems facing the flood areas. In many cities people were warned to boil all drinking water. The water supply completely failed in many places. The hardest hit point during the day was Wheeling, where at least 17 p®’sons perished when the Ohio swept "the business district and many residential sections. At least 20,000 of the city’s 70,000 are homeless. Ten thousand living on an island in'-the river were trapped in the upper parts or on roofs of their homes, and it is feared many-per-ished there. People are being inoculated against typhoid as rapidly as serum is available. SEVEN OF ONE FAMILY DEAD As the waters in Pittsburgh started to recede ghastly tragedies came to light. In one home the bodies of six children and an adult, were found burned to death. There is no hope for lights for several, days, and the militia maintained control of the business section against looting. In several parts of the citv food'riots are reported to have broken out, but details are not yet known. ■ POWER SYSTEM-FAILS At 6 p.m. the power system in Hartford failed} plunging the entire, city into darkness. The Connecticut river: is continuing to rise. The death roll now is estimated at 160, with at least 40 missing. The damage in New England alone is estimated at 100,000,000 dollars, indicating that the total national damage is at least several times that much.