Over 100 Dead in Flood Devastation

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 5

Over 100 Dead in Flood Devastation

Martial Law in Louisville

River at Cincinnati 28 Feet Above

Flood Level

United Pi ess Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright lleceived Tuesday, 8.55 p.m. CHICAGO, Jan. 26.

Later reports indicate that the known dead number a hundred, but it is impossible to determine the fatalities in isolated towns in the rural sections. Bodies are reported to have been, sighted floating in the Ohio river at many points, but it is impossible to verify such reports. Kentucky’s Governor, Mr. Chandler, declared martial law in Louisville following an appeal by Mayor Miller for a military regime to prevent divided authority causing a grave crisis. The city already presents a war-time appearance, militia patrolling the streets above the water. Huge military trucks are transporting refugees and food supplies. Darkness and the few people in the streets are reminiscent of war-time Europe under the threat of air raiders.

Residents are being evacuated as fast as possible, but the few available trains arc forced to creep along the tracks which arc under water at many points. Most of the refugees have crowded the high land in the residential district and churches and theatres are being used as homes us well as tents.

After being ferried over swollen creeks food and water are being rationed. A new crisis has appeared through oil and gasoline floating on the water. It is believed to have floated downstream from Cincinnati. Smoking has been forbidden near the water.

The river at Cincinnati is 28 feet above flood stage and has remained almost stationary, but the crest is expected to raise it one more foot. Although most of the city, which is built on hills similar to the seven hills of Rome is dry, much of the industrial section, the slum area, airport and railway yards are under many feet of water. The power and water systems are completely paralysed. The little remaining drinking water in the reservoirs has officially been termed contaminated necessitating tho boiling of all water used.

Ohio's Governor, Mr. Davev, has arrived to inspect conditions and offered to declare martial law, but the proposal was rejected by city officials.. Troops, however, are patrolling the streets. The disaster council has conferred on Colonel Dykstra the powers of an absolute dictator until the flood

subsides. Theatres, bars and cabarets are closed by edict. A small amount of power is being furnished from two cities a hundred miles distant, but it is sufficient only for hospitals, fire alarm, police, radio and a few street lights. There is no immediate danger of a shortage of fuel and food.

The river communities from Cairo, Illinois, to New Madrid, Missouri, waited in apprehension while the mingled flood waters of the Ohio and Mississippi poured over 131,000 acres of floodway. An unknown number of persons, estimated at between 100 and 500, are believed to have been caught in the flood basin whon the waters entered through thirteen natural breaks in the old levee.

Two huge gaps were blasted by army engineers after the troops had routed armed planters guarding the levee. Fliers sighted five marooned persons on a section of the embankment, but it is doubted if rescue is possible. The fate of others is unknown. Blasting 1 has been necessary to save Cairo from inundation.

Tho entire southern borderland of Indiana has been officially abandoned, whole cities ‘ being evacuated under martial law. Tho refugees are speeding northward in special trains to receive the hospitality of strangers in cities along the route, each of which indicated the number it could care for.

Troops fought desperately to remove uncounted thousands while the flood threatened to win the race.