GREAT ALABAMA FLOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 614, 16 March 1929, Page 1

GREAT ALABAMA FLOOD

Waters Swirl Over Town TALE OF DISASTER AND DEATH Thousands Perched on Roofs SWIRLING floods in Alabama have spread death and destruction about the town of Elba, whose inhabitants have been driven to the roof-tops. Thousands await rescue, facing death all the time. A hotel containing' hundreds of refugees is reported to have collapsed. (I'nited PA. —Bj i Telegraph — Loppripht) ,A us Ira lut'd and -V /,. Press Associa Von'/

Reed. a.m. TROY (Alabama). Fri. Marooned and facing possible death from the rapidly-rising waters, 4,000 persons, constituting the entire population of Elba, 32 miles south of here, at present await rescuers.

A telephone linesman who worked his way. to within half a mile of Elba reported that all the smaller homes were under water and the flood had reached the roofs of the taller buildings, which were black with peopleThe linesman said be could bear the screams of women and children in the little town as the waves came over the roofs of the buildings. Many residents clung to the house-tops or the upper branches of tall trees, or floated on pieces of wreckage awaiting aid by boat or airplane. Five planes of Ihe National Guard and numerous motor-boats and rowboats are endeavouring to reach the marooned people. Airplanes flying over the flooded areas report that rescue work is proceeding with all possible speed. In some sections, the boats were able to reach flood victims on the house-tops. The planes are also dropping bread to the survivors. Last reports from Elba indicate that the waters are rapidly rising again, after a slight drop. Driving rainfall continues. 150 REPORTED DROWNED Unconfirmed reports front Ozark. Alabama, indicated that a rescue worker had stated that over 150 persons had been drowned already, and that hundreds of others were in immediate danger at Elba. A hotel at Elba is reported to have collapsed under the pressure of water while hundreds of refugees were inside.

The peril of the marooned inhabitants is increasing. Further reports

of the disastrous work of lire water are coming in from seatiered points. President Hoover announced that the Army Corps commander at At-* lanta hart been instructed to aid the relief in the Alabama and Florida flood zones. One member of the rescue parties attempting to reach Elba, is reported to have sfbne. within a short distance of the city in a motor-boat, but he was forced back by the racing torrents. HOUSES AFLOAT Fie said the water had reached tha second floor of The courthouse, on which 1,500 persons were reported to have taken refuge. The water is 20 feet deep in the town. He stated that many houses were floating about, loosened from their foundations. Castleberry, Alabama, was almost totally destroyed by fire, climaxing a flood which marooned the inhabitants. The disaster is reported by an aviator, who flew over the wreckage. At present, throughout the entire area, only a few score are known to hava been rescued. The fate of othei*3 is unknown, because of the disruption of all communications, and the general chaofe Heavy rains are continuing, swelling the already flooded streams and rivers. The Red Cross is mobilising to aid the thousands of refugees, who will probably be forced to spend at least to-niglit in unsafe positions, perching in trees and on housetops, for only small boats are available, none of which can buck the currents. Illinois is also suffering. The town of Freeport was driven to extreme measures. A funeral and burial were held to-day from boats between, the church and the cemetery.