WEST INDIES TORNADO.

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 2, 19 September 1928, Page 3

WEST INDIES TORNADO.

SEVEN HUNORCO THOUSAND DESTITUTE.

FLOOD FOLLOWS HURRICANE

(By Cable.—Press Assn.—C<J| T right) (Australian Pre*s Assn.—United Service). WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.

The Red Cross is enlisting all avail able surgical aid to follow the initial contingent of relief workers into the stricken Florida area, where the 192(5 disaster is now being vividly reenacted.

Spasmodic reports reaching Jack

sonvilie. where the relief campaign is being directed, advise that Miami is virtually unharmed. The tornado is reported at present to be sweeping in the direction of Tampa, after leaving in its wake desolation at Palm Beach.

Eye-witnesses prior to the disruption of the telegram service reported having seen a house and barns in the vicinity of Tampa being lifted into the air and hurled hundreds of feet, to be shattered to bits in their descent.

Tampa residents, who presumed that the tornado was likely to spend itself before reaching the city, are now said to be evacuating in droves It is regarded as likely that the tornado will lose its fun- upon reaching the Gulf of Mexico, but great fear is expressed as to the ultimate damage that mav be done to'Tampa. The Government experts, who were despatched post haste to Palm Beach, are bending even* energv to prevent th*‘ spread of typhoid. Engineers and cent motors are working ceaselessly in an effort to re-establish the electric current and repair the damage to the wafer svstem.

Reports from the mid-west indicate that the tornado has abated cnnmlefelv. and salvage work at Roekford, Illinois, is now proceeding. The flood water, which yesterday threatened to inundate the city, has receded, enabling rescue work to continue uninterruptedly. Official reports indicate that the situation at Porto Rico is becoming increasingly desperate. It is estimated that 700.000 am destitute and facing starvation. The water supply is entirely cut off. and food prices am at the maximum. The United States Red Cross has authorised the P-trfo Rico branch to purchase 20 000 deHart; worth of food and distribute it immediately. The United States Government cleat-rover is en route for Porto Rieo. She has been converted into a hospital ship for the use of the Red Cross.

FURTHER DETAILS. THE DEATH ROLL. RELIEF ARRANGEMENTS. (Bv Cable.—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service). (Received This day, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 18. While the reports of the hurricane damage remain unconfirmed there is little doubt that it is in excess of 100 persons killed in Flarida. It is estimated that there were 86 deaths at Palm Beach, while the reports from the inland cities indicate that the number of deaths will exceed 30. The hurricane, which has now diminished in velocity, suddenly veered in its course and as a result them were high winds in Jacksonville and torrential rains at Havanah and Charleston, neither of which cities are said to have sustained serious loss.

A sudden fall in the temperature over the entire east coast of the United States has caused alarm and the present north-easterly course of the tornado encourages the belief that the hurricane is blowing out to sea. Miami is organising relief units and rushing them to the aid of the less fortunate sections of Florida. The civic officials of Miami have issued a statement attesting to the imtoiunitv of Florida from winter storms, thereby making an heroic effort to quell the fear in the minds of those contemplating taking a vacation in Florida. many of whom are now likely to snend their holiday elsewhere. President Coolidge’s plan for liglp In the alleviation of suffering in Porto Rico has already received a *arin response in the United States, ft is probable that a number of Government boats will he pressed into service for Portoriean relief. Fragmentary despatches continue to emphasise fhe destitution and declare that the hurricane is the worst that has ever struck the West Indies. MIAMI, September 18. A death list of 139 in Southern Florida as a result of the hurricane Is reported to-day. —Bridge and Five Hundred Plavers to know that the ‘‘Wail” stocks the best quality Cards at i* ea jonahl«