DEVASTATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19050, 1 July 1924, Page 5

DEVASTATION

TORNADO SWEEPS OHIO WORST IN HISTORY HEAVY DEATH TOLL. NEW YORK. June 29. Cleveland (Ohio) reports that the storm sweeping the four West Central States is concentrating with unparalleled fury upon Northern Ohio, where already more than three hundred people are reported to have been killed, and at least 1500 injured, while the property damage will probably reach millions. The city of Lorain seems to have goffered most acutely, being reported as demolished. A similar fate is feared to have befallen the neighbouring city of Sandusky. The storm has completely destroyed communications throughout a wide area, making it impossible to learn which of the municipalities require help. The Red Cross, hampered by lack of communications, is conscripting the services of motors and trucks from business establishments for an attempt to traverse the highways, most of which have been washed out by fierce torrents. The fire apparatus is likewise being employed to carry supplies. One fire company succeeded in reaching Lorain, whence a frantic appeal for assistance was issued. It is reported that several hundred people were injured when a theatre collapsed upon the helpless occupants. Meantime, high winds capsized boats on the neighbouring lakes and rivers. The police, military, and civilians have been despatched to assist the unfortunate survivors to gain a night’s shelter in tents, which .have been specially transported to the devastated areas. The passing hours bring grave ro ports, which aggravate the apprehension felt throughout the country. One correspondent states that two hundred were killed in the collapse of the State theatre in Lorain and forty others killed in other parts of the city. Reports from various other sources place the dead as high as five hundred in Lorain alone, while in Sandusky it is believed there are twenty-five killed. The entire waterfront section was either swept away or wrecked. The pumping station was wrecked and the city is unable to fight the fires which have started. 400 DEAD; 2000 INJURED NEW YORK, June 29. Northern Ohio is prostrate under the fury of the tornado. Latest estimates put the dead at 400, while 2000 persons were injured. It is feared that three lake steamers were caught in the storm. Reports indicate that the storm was in the country’s history. THE LATEST ESTIMATES Received June 30. 10.10 p.m. (Reuter). NEW YORK, June 29. A telegram from Cleveland says: — A re-check of casualties through Saturday’s tornado show that there were probably a hundred fatalities. Lorain had fifty-nine killed and 120 injured. A hundred city blocks were demolished, and the damage is estimated at upwards of thirty million dollars. A fourstorey theatre partly collapsed during a cinema performance, crushing many of the audience. In Sandusky six were killed and a hundred injured. The damage is two million dollars. In Cleveland seven were killed; at Pittsburg, five; and at Natau (Ohio), three. Damage to rural regions probably aggregates fifty million dollars. Fears for the safety of steamers proved to be unfounded, except for a towing launch, which was crushed against a barge. The crew of thirtyfive scrambled to safetv.