TORNADO DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1928, Page 2

TORNADO DISASTER

15,000 HOMELESS. Australian Press Assn.—United Service NEW YORK, Sept. 19. Fifteen thousand are homeless in this country in consequence of , the hurricane. National Guardsmen and civilians are recovering bodies anil dairying them. Many unidentified negroes were found. Refugees report that the conditions are horrible beyond description. Many families have been found living in two to three feet, of water, their only food being peanuts. The unfortunate people are being huddled among tho dead. Tho flat, swampy country is interwoven with canals, which makes the rescue work most difficult. Citizens are contributing generously to tho Red Cross and other relief workers. A complete estimate of the' storm’s destruction is still impossible, for many districts are without any communication and all parts of the stricken area are reporting with difficulty.

HURRICANE SPENT. NEW YORK, Sept. 18. The hurricane has apparently spent its fury by inflicting minor damages nearby the coastline. ■ Heavy rain and winds reached- a velocity of 75 miles an hour, and mountainous seas disrupted the aviation services and the shipping, driving many small vessels on to the rocks. New York City has suffered considerable damage to its trees and windows. The motor traffic was much impeded. IN THE ISLANDS. NEW YORK, Sept. 18. Guadaloupe and Porto Rico continue to report increasing misery. Thousands of dead cattle lie rotting in the sun, spreading disease. i The population’s moralo appears to he of a high order, hut the women and bhildrcn are suffering greatly, and many of them are going insane. Suicides are increasing.' FLORIDA’S DEVASTATION. NEW YORK, Sept. 18. The Florida Lake towns have been wiped out, particularly in the Okeechohe region, where the waters swept in the wake of the wind, drowning hundreds. Tho suffering there is intense, and a pneumonic epidemic is threatening. Rescue squads are toiling through tho debris. They report over 170 dead at present. ■ ' The property losses in the Palm Beach country alone total thirty millions of dollars.