DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 15

DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE.

WASHINGTON SWEPT.

HEAVY CASUALTY LIST,

(bi cable—press association—coptbight.) (australian a>d k.z. cable association.)

(Received November 18th, 5.5 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, November 17

A cyclone struck the city, following terrific lightning and a rainstorm. The section chiefly affected'is situated about four miles from White House. Wind tore the roofs and fronts from houses, felled trees, damaged churches and industrial plants, and overturned automobiles.

All available ambulances were rushed to the stricken districts. Suburban hospitals are so crowded that they are unable to spare time to answer * telephone enquiries. Many injured were also taken to big city institutions. Several outlying localities are cut off altogether.

Air Coolidge left for Philadelphia during the storm. The authorities now estimate that one person is dead and two hundred injured. Heavy rainfall added to the misery of the scene at nightfall, and the prediction is for freezing weather to-morrow.

During the tornado, which lasted for fifteen minutes, and blew at a speed of 03 miles an hour, men and women knelt in the streets and prayed for the safety of those at home in the path of the storm. Eight aeroplanes at the naval air station at Bolting Field were badly damaged, and a 65-ton crane there was blown over. The property damage is expected to total more than 1,000,000 dollars.

Eye-witnesses saw what looked like a huge mass of black, cotton-like clouds whirling in every direction, and people rushing wildly about in a turmoil of fright and anxiety. Bricks from rooftops and debris were flying through the air.

Officials of the United States Weather Bureau said the tornado was caused by a warm earth current rising 4000 feet in the air, and encountering a cold current. The Secretary for War, Mr Dwight Davis, ordered out police reserves, firemen, soldiers, and marines to aid in rescue work.