WASHINGTON TORNADO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 11

WASHINGTON TORNADO.

ODESTBUCTION IN CITY. I HOSPITALS CROWDED. i WIND VELOCITY 93 MILES. PEOPLE PRAY FOR SAFETY. WILD TURMOIL IN STREETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 18, 6.18 p.m.) A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON. Nov. 17. A tornado struck the city to-day after a terrific thunder and rainstorm. The section chiefly affected is situated about four miles from the White House. The wind tore roofs and fronts from houses, felled trees and damaged churches and industrial plants and overturned motorcars. The authorities know of one death and that over 200 persons were injured. All the avaliable ambulances •were quickly taken to the stricken districts. The suburban hospitals are so crowded that they are. unable to spare time to answer telephone inquiries. Many of the injured were also taken ■to the large city hospitals. Several of the outlying localities were cut off from communication. The President, Mr. Coolidge, who had <o deliver an important policy speech in Philadelphia, left Washington for that city during the storm. Heavy rain added to the misery of the scene as evening fell, with a prediction of freezing weather for to-morrow. During the tornado, wAich lasted for 15 minutes, and blew at a velocity of 93 miles an hour, men and women knelt in the streets and prayed for the safety of those at home. Eight planes which were in the path of the storm at the Naval Air Station at Bolting Field were badly damaged, and a 65 ton crane there was blown over. The damage to property is expected to total more than £200,000. An eye-witness said the tornado looked like a huge mass ot black cottonlike clouds whirling in every direction. People rushed wildly about in a turmoil of fright and anxiety. Bricks, roof-fops, and other debris were flying through air. The head of the Weather Bureau says the tornado was caused by a warm earth current rising 4000 ft. into the air, where it encountered a cold current. The Secretary for War, Mr. D. P. Davis, has ordered out the police reserves, firemen, soldiers and marines to aid in the rescue work.