CITY THREATENED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 5

CITY THREATENED

Floods In Winnipeg SOME AREAS EVACUATED NZPA—Copyright Rec. 11.30 p.m. OTTAWA, May 6. The army today took control of the flood fighting operations in Winnipeg as the Red River broke its banks and threatened the city of 300,000 persons with heavy damage. The Winnipeg Tribune quoted the city authorities as warning that " total evacuation of the city might be necessary.” The deputy city engineer said: “ The city has come to the end of its flood defence fighting. Our resources are exhausted. Things are cut of hand. It is no longer a question of defence but of relief.” All dykes protecting suburban Winnipeg have been swept away and by tonight 4000 people have been evacu-

ated from the southern areas. Many suburbs were under eight feet of water. City authorities said the Red River had risen to 26ft 6in —Bft 6in above the flood risk. It was expected to rise another sft. This would mean the major exacuation of the suburbs, but the whole city was not likely to be abandoned.