BELIZE LAID IN RUINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 9

BELIZE LAID IN RUINS.

fIDAL WAVE SWEEPS CITY.

SHIPS DRIVEN ON LAND.

PEOPLE LACK FOOD.

WHIRLWIND of destruction,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received September 13. 7.15 p.m.) BELIZE, Sept. 12. A terrible hurricane struck British Honduras on Thursday. It was accompanied by. a tidal wave, which devastated the capital, Belize. Mcfre than 1000 deaths are reported, and many bodies have still to be recovered.

The communications were destroyed and for a time the only messages sent out were weak wireless communications.

The hurricane wrought untold havoc. Houses were piled up like toys. In one area in the heart of the city six blocks in a square are destroyed. Ships and barges were swept high on to dry land »nd houses washed out to sea. The Government is unable to keep up with the rising death toll. It has decided to burn the areas where the destruction and deaths are worst, in order to prevent an outbreak of disease. The danger of disease is said to be great because of the scorching sun. Several small food riots occurred today, but they -were immediately squelched by the authorities. Relief kitchens have been set up. The city presents a pitiful sight. Ships of hundreds of tons burden havo been washed up on the land by the tidal wave and a dredge; of 200 tons rests on what was the roof of the customs landing shed. Many smaller boats were driven far inland.

St. George's Island, a holiday resort nine miles east of Belize, is ruined completely. At least 24 persons were killed there. '■

The dead at Belize include a number of American priests, who were killed with students in the destruction of St. Joseph's College. The entire Caribbean area is uneasily watching further developments. "lhree distinct hurricanes, two of which struck Belize andy Porto Rico, may have ended, but may possibly regain strength, so that Haiti and Santo Domingo are preparing to face trouble. Moreover, a third hurricane is believed to be heading toward Western Mexico. Belize consists largely of frame structures on flat ground. Ihe storm apparently became a whirlwind of destruction «nd death just before it struck the coastal city..

DESPATCH OF RELIEF. OTHER ISLANDS AFFECTED. GREAT MATERIAL DAMAGE. (Received September 13. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 12. The State Department has received *eak wireless/messages from Honduras *hich indicate that the damage done by the hurricane at Belize is enormous. Relief of all sorts is requested urgently. A Pan-American Airways aeroplane attempted to deliver medical supplies, but unable to land on the water owing to the high waves, and will later endeavour to drop supplies on land. The latest reports from Porto Rico indicate that at San Juan the hurricane did great property damage, but only one perE °n is known to be dead and a few injured. Tho mansion of the Governor, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, is reported to be badly damaged. His collection of rare tapestries suffered greatly.

The Red Cross at Washington was informed that 200 houses were unroofed by the hurricane at San Juan on 1 hursday light.

At Santo Domingo a tropical storm of "iterate intensity caused widespread damage to the crops in the Republic on Friday. Some buildings were damaged. A HURRICANE YEAR. forecast in bermuda. Action of -island spiders. /Received September 13, 5.5 p.m.) Hamilton, Bermuda, Sept. 12. Local "Mature-" %veather forecasters 'J* that this is a " hurricane year." n «y base their forecasts on the actions ; " D ge native spiders, which, it is When fhe vveatiier is lo be good tdJL 8 ™* we,is in tree tops and on jTJjftph poles, but in face of approaching "sort to low shrubby bushes. IP BBea n tho spiders are staying near m ground.