AMERICAN FLOODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 5

AMERICAN FLOODS

AUCKLAND WOMAN'S VISIT

EXPERIENCES DESCRIBED

In a letter to friends in Auckland Mrs. H. M. Marler, of London Street, Ponsouby, describes some of tho scenes she witnessed at Portsmouth, in I lie United States, when the great Ohio River flooded the surrounding country, bringing untold disaster and misery to thousands of people.'

Mrs. Mailer writes: —.Sitting in my sunny garden overlooking the beautiful Waiteinata Harbour a year or two ago, I never thought 1 should be huddling over a small oil stove ill a Portsmouth hotel room, watching the Ohio River rushing and swirling down the streets of the city. On the night of Friday, January 22, 1 was driven down to the flood wall. Leaning over it, 1 dipped my fingers in the angry waters and watched the waters mount higher and higher. All day Saturday things went on as usual in our hotel, although the kitchen and dining rooms were moved up two floors higher. On Sunday morning we wakened to a silent world — heat- gone, radio silent, and water off, our only light: a candle. A very grave crisis was at hand. A siren sounded at 2 a.m. to tell us the river was over the wall. At -J a.m. (Saturday morning) the flood gates were opened. As the day dawned, L stood at my window and watched an awesome sight—the flood waters rolling down tho street. The hotel was surrounded on all sides by muddy, tempestuous waters. We all gathered in the living room trying to keep warm, continued Mrs. Marler. We were very cheerful and if anyone felt downhearted, she did not let her neighbour know. On Monday the water was rising higher anil higher. By this time a number of rowing boats were on the river and tho lied Cross was in touch with us in case of sickness. Bread and milk were sent as often as possible. On Tuesday afternoon a boat came to take my husband and myself away. Friends had sent for us. We did not want to leave the party, preferring to wait until we could all get: away together, but we were told it would mean less to leed if we went.

As we were rowed up the streets deep in water, 1 realised what the people if Portsmouth had to face — hardship, distress, poverty and despair. At this time the water was pouring into the second storey windows.