DISASTROUS FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 17304, 28 March 1913, Page 5

DISASTROUS FLOODS

: *OOO DEATHS REPORTED.. I 200,000 HOMELESS. DEVASTATION IN AMERICA.' UNFORTUNATE DAYTON. tßy Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright). NEW YORK, March 2G. The area bounded by Lake Erie and the Ohio River, the Indiana boundary and Pennsylvania, is suffering from a flood. Two hundred thousand people are homeless. Harrowing tales are percolating through. The stricken people are spending the nights in the trees and on housetops, falling into the water when exhausted by the cold and wet. Communication is completely shut off at Dayton. Lanesvllle reports that 15 people have been drowned. Conservative estimates place the death roll at Dayton at 400, Sydney 200, Delaware 50, Hamilton 20, Piqua 200, and the surrounding villages raise the total to 1000. The worst ravages are at Peru. The entire city is submerged. Bodies were borne off by the swirling waters, and none have been recovered. The neighbouring States are organising relief, but there is groat hardship in consequence of the lack of railway transportation. The water is now subsiding. At Dayton a huge explosion, caused by fire, wrecked additional portions of the city. The floods have spread, and the whole business section is ablaze, people escaping from the burning roofs only to perish in the waters. Two hundred bodies have already been recovered. The fire fighters are helpless, owing to the water. The fire is reported to have been due to an explosion of an oil tank. WARNING TO LOOTERS. INTENSE SUFFERING. THOUSANDS TAKING REFUGE. - RELIEF MEASURES, NEW YORK, March 26. Received March 27, 10.15 p.m. Citizens at Peru (Indiana) finding that looting was rampant, organised Vigilance Committees, and gave notice that all looters would be summarily shot., Thousands are marooned in the Courthouse and hospitals. Snow Is falling heavily, and the suffering is Intense. Relief is beginning to arrive, but scores are perishing of cold and fatigue. The flames are raging at Dayton. Eight business houses were burnt. There are no .means of checking the outbreak. Fifteen thousand people are taking refuge in the hospitals waiting for the floods to subside. The river is four miles wide. Men were rescued, half frozen, from trees. Many boats are engaged in rescue work. Terrific currents, even in the streets, make the work dangerous. The President has ordered the despatch of tents, supplies, ancj physicians immediately. An Army Crops has been ordered to give aid In the West, Indianopolis reports 150 drowned. [< i. A PESTILENCE FEARED, NEW YORK, March 2T. Received March 27, 11.45 p.m. As the people of Peru are drinking contaminated, water, a pestilence is feared. There, are no blankets and no fires. •At midnight a report was received that the Lewiston dam was weakening, and likely to collapse. The Governor despatched a special train with men and materials,to strengthen th© dan).