STORM CATASTROPHE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1926, Page 2

STORM CATASTROPHE.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NEW YORK. September 18( News from Jacksonville (Florida), states that a gale, blowing at ona, hundred miles per hour, whipped a large area of Southern Florida on Saturday. The result was floods which crippled practically all the wires anil other means of cemmunication in tho cities and towns affected. In the vicinity of Miami, the houses were unroofed and flooded, manholes put but of 'commission all the telephones. The causeway joining Biami and Miami Beach Island is six feet under water. News from Jacksonville (Illinois) states that thousands of acres of land in the maize holt are now submerged in six to eight feet of water. Millions of dollars worth of maize, and live stock have lieen destroyed owing to the flooding of the Illinois River. The maize soaked in the water has begun to decay, and the farmers wil? lose their entire summer’s work. -Most of the families have left their homes, and are living with friends. Boats containing entire households, including families, furniture, live stock and chickens are common sights along the hanks of the flooded area. Old residents say the water is higher than it has been since the white man first came. Similarly the maize fields in various sections of lowa are covered by four feet of water from the overflow of the Skunk River. The only hope of saving the entire town of Boardstown from becoming destroyed is clear weather. Eighteen thousand residents are preparing to leave their homes. News from Turks Island (Bahamas) states that enormous damage to property has been caused hv a tropical hurricane. Nearly all the lighters in the harbours liave been lost. Who r vies have been swept away and houses molished. The entire seafront is changed. There were no fatalities.