GREAT STORM.

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 1, 17 September 1928, Page 3

GREAT STORM.

HURRICANE IN THE WEST INDIES. HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. (By Cable.—Pi-ess Assn— Copyright) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service,). NEW YORK, September 15. Afte v a dav of ra'blcd and conflict ■ug ri—ot- it is indicated that the tornado which wreaked havoc at Porto Rico, and which bad a curious counterpart in the mid-west United States, resulted in heavy loss of life and tremendous property damage. Communication, which has just been res-cstnblished with Porto Rico, paints a.horrifying picture of the devastation. While it is impossible to determine the human toll, it is certain the property loss will reach millions. The latest repo ts recount how the tornado blasted a way through Sau Juan, battered houses to the ground, reduced residential and commercial sections to a mass of hopeless ruins, hundreds of occupants thereof being killed and injured in the space of a few minutes. The entire West Indies were in horror, anticipating havoc any moment. Weather reports indicate that the hurricane currently headed towards Florida.

Three wid-west States, Nebraska. South Dakota and Illinois, were affected by the tornado, Rockford, Illinois. suffering the heaviest losses. Tile Coroner estimated the deaths at between 50 anil 75. One section of the town was practically obliterated. Communication, which has just been re-established, increases Abe fear that the tornado toll will be v heavily supplemented hv a flood, which is now reported to be gaining headway, choking off avenues of escape. A furniture factory at Rockford collapsed and entombed more than 100 employees, mostly women, many of whom are believed to have been killed instantly. The Red Cross, which is handicapped by meagre reports, is rushing aid to the stricken area.

Advices to the Navy and War Departments from Ban Juan. Porto Rico, state that 80 per cent, of the houses were unroofed ,nnd that 10,000 persons are homeless. Reports reaching Havanna from the stricken zones in Porto Rico indicate one of the greatest disasters in the history of Carrilienn hurricanes. Tt is estimated that 70 per cent, of the koines and 30 per cent, of the commercial buildings were destroyed. The homes of thousands of workers along the waterfront were completely destroyed. One-third of the city’s population is unsheltered. Reports from Humacao, on the east coast of Porto Rico, state that 30 are dead as the result of the hurricane. Extensive sugar crop damage is also reported.

The American Cable Company was advised hv its manager to-day that ten are dead and 700 homeless at Ponce, Porto Rico, after Thursday’s hurricane. The American Red Cross received a message to-day from its representative at St. Croix, Virgin Islands, saving: “Terrific hurricane, Virgin Islands. No communication with St. Thomas. Hundreds are homeless, and need clothes and money for food.”