FLOODS IN PENNSYLVANIA. Several Towns Destroyed. THOUSANDS OF LIVES LOST. New York, June 1. AWFUL CALAMITY

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 374, 5 June 1889, Page 5

FLOODS IN PENNSYLVANIA. Several Towns Destroyed. THOUSANDS OF LIVES LOST. New York, June 1.

AWFUL CALAMITY

Terrible floods, attended with great loss of life, are reported from Pennsylvania, A terrific freshet in the Covenraaugh River burst a reservoir at Johnstown, near Pittsburg. The reservoir is three miles in length and one mile and a-balf wide. The water rushed into Johnstown, which was completely wiped out, and it is estimated that fifteen hundred persons have been drowned. Two thousand of the residents were rescued from falling houses. The bodies of those drowned are to be seen floating down the river in hundreds. Large numbers of those unfortunate inhabitants, when washed from dwellings, tvere seen floating about clinging to driftwood and trees, and imploring for help, but there were no means at hand. At San Florence alone 85 persons were counted passing in an almost exhausted state, and all chance of rescue was hopeless. It is feared that the villages of Southport, Mineral Point, Covenmaugh, and Woodville have suffered, and that 8000 persons have been drowned. Many wealthy families of Pittsburg reside in the locality, and there is intense excitement as to their fate. The railway line from Baltimore to Ohio has been damaged by the rush of water, and seven miles have been completely washed away. At Johnstown there is a pile oidebris 14 feet high, which is embanking the floods. A tremendous rain storm has deluged Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, submerging many of the towns. Great anxiety is felt for the safety of the residents, and this is intensified owing to the suspension of commu.iication by telegraph and railway. It is estimated that the floods in Pennsylvania and surrounding States resulted in damage being done to the extent of Debris from wrecked houses in some way became ignited, and it is believed that hundreds of persons perished in the flames.