WEST INDIAN STORM

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1926, Page 11

WEST INDIAN STORM

THE SECOND VISITATION SEVERE DAMAGE REPORTED. DEATH ROLL AGAIN HEAVY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Havana,. Oct. 20. A heavy storm to-day flooded the streets, stopped transportation, placed the power systems out of commission and cut communication with the interior. Commencing at 6 a.m. the wind had reached a velocity of 100 miles by 10.30 a.m. The more flimsy houses have been unroofed and their windows smashed. The streets are littered with wreckage. New York, Oct. 20. A message from Jacksonville states that the Western Union Telegraph Company, shortly befpre noon, lost all communication with Havana, via Key West. A Tampa message states that the Government meteorologist said to-day that the West Indian hurricane was apparently headed for Florida. He urged residents and west coast shipping to take every precaution for safeguarding life and property. Advice from Miami states that the Cuban consulate announced that more than 150 homes were demolished in the residential sections of Havana. A message received in New York by a commercial cable company just before communication with Havana was severed said that the business of the city was virtually suspended. Havana, Oct. 20. After attaining a velocity of 130 miles an hour the hurricane left Cuba. The indications are that it is travelling north-east at the rate of ten miles per hour. It is known that there are twenty dead and several hundred injured as the result of the hurricane. It is feared that there has been considerable loss of life bv drowning also. New York. Oct. 20. The hurricane is the third this year. It is expected to strike Southern Florida late to-day. The schools have been closed and the prisoners in Miami City gaol have been released to be with their families. They are on their honour to return. It is officially stated 30 were killed and 300 injured in Havana City during the hurricane. Thousands of persons need aid and shelter. Police and soldiers patrol the streets and all places of business are closed. Received Oct, 21, 10.25 p.m. New York, Oct. 20. News from Havana states that large number of steamers and ships have been sunk and damaged as a result of the hurricane. Launches and small boats have been washed away, while the Cuban naval vessels Febero and Hatuet sank and the cruiser Patna was damaged. Many foreign steamers were also damaged and numerous wharves wrecked. So great was the force of the seas that the water in San Lazaro Street, one block from the waterfront, rose as high as the second storey of some of the houses and the tram services were suspended.. Telephone advices from Key West state that the wind gusts acquired a velocity of 80 miles an hour and trees were blown down in many places. An S.O.S. message was received from an unidentified ship at noon.