HURRICANE LEAVES TRAIL OF DESOLATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 220, 17 September 1928, Page 7

HURRICANE LEAVES TRAIL OF DESOLATION

HAVOC IN THE WEST INDIES HUNDREDS KILLED OR INJURED WHILE THOUSANDS ARE HOMELESS ( By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright ] [ Australian Press Assn—United Service J Received Sept. 16, 5.5 p.m. NEW YORK, Sept. 15. After a day of garbled and conflicting reports, it is indicated that the tornado which wrought havoc in Porto Rico, and which had a curious counterpart in the midwest of the United States, resulted in heavy loss of life and tremendous property damage. Communication has just been re-established with Porto Rico and reports paint a horrifying picture of devastation.

While it is impossible to determine the human toll, it is certain that property losses will reach million. The latest reports recount how the tornado blasted its way through San Juan, battered houses to the ground and reduced residential and commercial sections to a mass of hopeless ruins. Hundreds of the occupants wore killed and injured in a few minutes. The entire West Indies wore in horror, anticipating havoc at any moment. Weather reports indicate that the hurricane is now headed towards Florida, where a recurrence of the memorable disaster of 1926 seems an uncomfortable possibility. The American Cable Company was advise! by its manager to-day that. 1.0 arc dead and 700 arc homeless at Poce (Porto Rico) after Thursday’s hurricane. Reports from Humacao, on the east coast of Porto Rico, state that 30 are dead there as a result of the hurricane. Extensive damage to the sujar crop is also reported. SAN JUAN SUFFERS BADLY SEVENTY PER CENT O’F CITY’S HOMES DESTROYED. [ Australian Press Assn. ! Received Sept. 6, 6 p.m. HAVANA, Sept. 15. Reports reaching here from the stricken zones of Porto Rico indicate that the tornado has produced one of the greatest disasters in the history of the Carribcan. It is estimated that 70 per cent, of the commercial buildings have been destroyed in San Juan. The homes of thousands of workers along the waterfront have been completely destroyed and one-third of the city's population is without shelter. <

VIRGIN ISLANDS STRICKEN HUNDREDS VZITHOUT SHELTER. [ Australian Press Assn.—United Service. ] Received Sept. 16 ,5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 15. The American Red Cross received a message to-day fro - its representative at St. Croix (Virgin Islands) saying: “Terrific hurricane has struck the Virgin Islands and there is no communication with St. Thomas. Hundreds arc homeless and need clothes and money for food.”

TORNADO SWEEPS AMERICAN STATES DANGER OF FLOOD ADDS TO HORRORS [ Australian Press Assn. 1 / Received Sept. .16, 7 p.m. NEW YORK, Sept. 15. Three mid-west States—Nebraska, South Dakota and Illinois—were affected by the tornado, Rockford (HL), suffering the heaviest loss. The coroner estimated the deaths at between 50 and 75. One faction of the town was practically obliterated. Latest reports increase the fear that the toll will be heavily supplemented by a flood which is now reported to be gaining headway. A furniture factory at Rockford collapsed and entombed more than .100 exployccs, 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 two stricken areas.