FLORIDA CATASTROPHE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1926, Page 2

FLORIDA CATASTROPHE

latest figures. [Australian & is,'/,. Cable Association.j NEW YORK, Sept. 24. Ihe physicians and surgeons are now concentrating their efforts to prevent an outbreak of pestilence in the Florida districts that were devastated by the hurricane. Typhoid and tetanus serum are being sent by boat, by aeroplane ihkl by train. Only a few isolated cases of disease have, yet been reported, but. the disrupted sanitation system presents an ominous threat. The wholesale evacuation of towns is progressing. The troops lfavo ordered the survivors at Aloorehavcn to depart immediately. The order is due to epidemic dangers from the badly decomposed bodies of the victims. Thu following official figures have been issued:— There have been 364 bodies already recovered. There are two thousand injured. There is two hundred million dollars of property lost. There are twenty-live thousand homeless. Only fifteen million dollars of the losses is covered by insurance. There is four •million dollars needed for rehabilitaton work. It is indicated that the final death list will be considerably higher, as the flooded conditions in some of the towns have halted the parties that arc searching the debris. NEW YORK, Sept. 24. Five hundred of tlio injured are in a serious condition, the hurts of the others being confined to bruises, lace rations. and bone fractures. An army of insurance adjustors lias (invaded Miami compiling estimates of the damage. The Meyer Kayer Rank Building, which was one of the finest in Miami, is admitted to be >a total loss. Tt is asserted that the cost of demolishing the building will bo a million dollars, and also will constitute a great engineering feat. The damage to flic stability of the Alia in i Biltmore Hold is estimated at 250,000 dollars. It was' turned into a refugee base after the storm. Between two and three thousand homeless crowded into the palatini rooms, and were served with food and hot coffee by the management.