AMERICAN FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15262, 28 March 1913, Page 7

AMERICAN FLOODS.

THOUSAND LIVES LOST.

200,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS.

HEAVY SNOW FALLING.

SCORES PERISHING. FROM COLD . AND FATIGUE. Br Telegraph.—Frees .isiocisiion.—Copyright. (Received Maroh. 27, 10.15 p.m.) New York, March 27. The latest advices regarding the floods in Ohio and the surrounding country show that the loss of life is not nearly so great as was at first feared. ' ' '' A ■ conservative estimate places the death-roll in Dayton at 400, in Sydney at 200, in Delaware at 50, in Hamilton at 20, and in Piqua at 200. The deaths in surrounding villages raise the total to about 1000. The worst ravages occurred at Peru (Indiana), the entire city being submerged. Bodies were borne off i by the swirling waters, none being ! recovered. Shooting of Looters. The citizens of Peru, finding that looting was rampant, organised vigilance committees. All looters who were detected were summarily shot. Thousands of inhabitants are marooned -in >. the -courthouse ' and hospitals. Snow is falling heavily and the sufferings of the people are intense. Relief is beginning to arrive, but scores of people are perishing from cold and fatigue. Fifteen Thousand Refugees. At Dayton, 15,000 people have taken refuge in the hospitals, and are waiting for the flood to subside. The river is four miles wide. Men have been rescued half-frozen from the trees. . There are terrific currents, even in the Streets, and these make the rescue work (in which, many boats are engaged) dangerous. Measures lor Relief. President Wilson has ordered the despatch of tents, supplies, and physicians immediately. An army corps has been ordered to render aid! ;

Indianapolis reports that 150 people have been drowned there. The neighbouring States are organising relief, but great hardship is being experienced in consequence of - the lack of railway; transportation.

Advices from Columbus (Ohio) state that the area bounded by Lake Erie," the Ohio River, the Indiana boundary/ and the Pennsylvania boundary is suffering very severely from the floods. Two hundred thousand people are reported to be homeless. Harrowing tales are percolating through of stricken people spending the night in ; trees and'housetops, and falling into the water when exhausted by cold and wet. ... Zanesville (Ohio) reports that 15 people have been drowned there. PEOPLE DRINKING IMPURE WATER. •" ; ' ' .>' - ■ ■ PESTILENCE THREATENED.: (Beeeived March. 27, 11.45 p.m.) New Yoek, March 27. The people of Peru (Indiana) are reported to be drinking contaminated water and a pestilence is feared in consequence. They are

without blankets.

A report from Lewiston (Ohio) states that the dam is weakening and is likely to collapse. The State Governor has despatched a .special train with men and materials to strengthen the structure.

BIG FIRE AT DAYTON;

PEOPLE JUMP FROM ROOFS.

DROWNED IN THE FLOODS.

FIRE BRIGADE POWERLESS.

New York, March 26.

The flood at Dayton was followed by a huge explosion, - supposed to have resulted from an oil tank catching fire. This explosion wrecked an additional portion of the city.

The flames spread rapidly, and the whole business section is now ablaze.

Many people leaped from burning roofs only to perish in the waters.

Two hundred bodies have already been recovered.

The fire-fighters are helpless owing to the water in the streets covering the plugs. The water is now subsiding.

FIRE STILL EAGING. (Received March 27, 1f1.15 . p.m.) . New York, March 27.

The fire is still raging at Dayton. Eight business houses have been burned, and there are no means of checking the outbreak.