MISSISSIPPI FLOOD MENACE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 April 1927, Page 9

MISSISSIPPI FLOOD MENACE.

Surging- River Still Rising. ENORMOUS LOSSES CERTAIN. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and lI.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK. April 27. The rivers have not yet reached the crest. Sudden breaks in the Arkansas river endangered the lives of 5000 marooned refugees. A Government engineer estimates that the previous high water marks of the Mississippi river will he exceeded hv at least three feet before the crisis is passed. It also feared that 200,000 persons between Vicksburg and the mouth of the Red River will be trapped, in the rapidly rising water. Federal State .officials claim that thev are powerless to help them. The crest of the flood is not expected for two or three days. There is a serious shortage of boats for rescue work. In the meantime additional stories of death and destruction axe reported hourly. The Red -Cross has received over 2,500,000 dollars. Estimate of Losses. While, it is impossible to state definitely the toll of the floods, Mr hi. C. Hoover and others declare that 300 dead have already been counted, which figure is expected to be greatly increased. It is estimated that over 250,000 people are homeless. The property damage will exceed 200,000,000 dollars. Additional damage is threatening many Louisiana and Mississippi towns. A serious emergency is feared in Lower Louisiana. Hundreds of families are still marooned in the outlying districts, practically unsheltered, with limited food, and only muddy flood water to drink. More seaplanes have been despatched to scout out refugees huddled together oil the levees, or stranded on the islands dotting the wide expanse of water. Martial Law in Force. Virtual martial law is effective in the Mississippi district. Reports of looting by negroes made it necessary to invoke the 8 o’clock curfew. Guardsmen patrol the streets of some flooded towns in boats. Everything possible is being done to prevent plague and disease, but the polluted water supplies, exposure, and poor food have stricken many homeless. Vaccination and inoculation, however. have so far prevented a serious spread. Refugees are continuing Vo pour into Vicksburg, and once there none are permitted to leave the camps without permission of the State authorities. Many inhabitants are leaving the Acadia district, Louisiana, which is doomed to be flooded when the levee is dynamited to-morrow, but a considerable number are refusing to leave. Bloodshed is still feared.