DROUGHT BREAKS IN U.S.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18821, 9 March 1931, Page 7

DROUGHT BREAKS IN U.S.A.

Rain Falls in Many States. GRIM STORY FROM STRICKEN AREAS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 8, 8.50 p.m.) CHICAGO, March 7. The mid-winter drought, which is nation-wide in extent, is doing serious injury to crops and is diminishing the water supply in many communities, including such large cities as New York, was broken to-day, when rain and snow fell widely over the entire country. Chicago suffered from a blizzard and a gale, a foot of snow falling. All Illinois, lowa, Wisconsin and Michigan were similarly affected. The mid-west grain belts especially benefited by snow. The lower valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers benefited by the heavy rains. The storm extended as far south as Texas and Louisiana, where it also did considerable property damage. The Federal Weather Bureau stated that the drought, however, had progressed to such extent that the grain areas must have at least a foot more rain during the next two months to restore the moisture to the sub-soil, and start the spring-growing season properly. The Red Cross announces that during February the Association fed almost half a million persons more than in January, in the drought-stricken areas, covering 21 States. Two million persons are now receiving aid, and the drought in many of these sections is of more than a year’s duration.