AMERICAN FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 20172, 7 May 1927, Page 7

AMERICAN FLOODS

Levees Failing HUGE NEW AREAS INUNDATED CREST APPROACHING NEW ORLEANS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) New York, May 5. I A New Orleans message says that the crest of the Mississippi river flood is moving southward at the rate of fifty miles a day, leaving an increasingly large expanse of inundated territory in its wake. The water is pouring through the new breaks, covering the entire north-west portion of the State, although the crest is already past that point. The flood waters there are joining the back-waters of the Arkansas river. Thousands of labourers are working to save the levees along the Old and Red rivers and Bayou Desglaises, which are already virtually doomed. Breaks at any of these places w’ould add thirteen parishes to the inundated area, bringing half the State under water. A fresh break occurred in the levee protecting Rayville and the waters are pouring into the negro section. It is estimated the whole town will be covered before to-mor-row. Fresh inundations expected will bring the total flooded area to the vicinity of 18,000 square miles and swell the number of homeless to over half a million. Meanwhile the authorities are concentrating on rescuing 14.000 persons marooned on high ground in Tensas parish who refused to leave their homes when warned. They will have to be removed in boats. Rescue workers report the greatest difficulty is experienced in persuading victims, especially negroes, to leave many danger points. These : when ultimately removed are invariably suffering severely from exposure • and hunger.—A. and N.Z.