THE MISSISSIPPI FLOODS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143781, 3 May 1912, Page 3

THE MISSISSIPPI FLOODS.

EMBANKMENTS AGAIN BROKEN. By El.-ctrio Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received May 3, 8.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 2. The levees (embankments) guarding the towns along the banks of the Mississippi have broken. The river is rising rapidly, and the destruction of farms and flooding of the low-lying areas of the towns is certain. Relief boats aro out, hut many persons are missing. [The Mississippi has a length of 2500 miles, or, including its branch, the Missouri, of 1200. Tho lands in tho lower reaches of tho river, which aro rich river flats, aro, for the most part, below the level of tho river, and protected from inundation by levees. Tho river system drains a basin of about 15,000 miles in length. An excessive rainfall on such an area offers almost unimaginable possibilities in tho way of floods.]