CREST OF FLOOD TO COME

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 348, 1 February 1937, Page 5

CREST OF FLOOD TO COME

MISSISSIPPI RIVER OHIO RISING, TOO. Refugees Make For Towns On High Ground. . Press Association—Copyright. . Chicago, January 30. With the crest of the flood still to come, the Mississippi River has risen to a higher stage than any hitherto reported. Cairo is preparing to meet the crest on Wednesday. To-night it lay on an island amid raging waters. The Ohio River is crawling towards a 59ft. level with an expected crest of 61ft., which is unprecedented north of Cairo in the so-called Little Egypt. Smaller communities, notably Mound City, were evacuated when the flood-waters backed up, inundating them. One hundred and thirty-one thousand acres of South-eastern Missouri were flooded as a result of the opening of levees. The complete evacuation of Paducah, the 8000 inhabitants of which remained to-day, has been ordered, forcibly if necessary, in order that when the Ohio’s crest strikes on Tuesday the danger to human life will be obviated. Memphis is in the path of the rolling flod tide, but is confident that her situation on higher ground will save her. It is a city of refugees.