A TERRIFIC CYCLONE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 89, 31 August 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TERRIFIC CYCLONE.

A CITY DEVASTATED. On the night of July 30 Regina, the capita] of the province of Saskatchewan (Canada), was visited by a cyclone, which destroyed 50 human lives, injured 400 persons more or less seriously, and did material damage to the extent of 11,000,000 dollars (over £2,000,000). The chief loss of life occurred in the Provincial Government Telephone Exchange, which was blown down. The greatest damage was done in the 'business and residential areas. The Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian Churches (all magnificent structures), the Y.M.C.A.'s building, and the new Public Library were all destroyed. The force of the wind was so great that boats lying on Lake Wascara were lifted up and transported nearly a mile inland, and several persons were drowned while crossing the lake. The house of the Premier of the province (Mr. Walter Soctt) was greatly injured. The Dominion Government at once despatched £SOOO for the relief of the sufferers, of whom fully 3000 were reported to be homeless. The storm lasted only three minutes, yet in that short time it cut a path 300 ft wide throughout the city, and brought death, destruction and untold misery in its train. An elevator fell across the railway track, killing several truckloads of cattle and other stock. Thirty-six hours alter the catastrophe the people of Regina were just beginning to realise the extent of the calamity. The day was blisteringly hot, and during the afternoon a storm worked up in the southeast and another in the west. The contending storms met in the south of the city, and then the gale burst, shattering the windows in the stately new Parliament Building in the southern front, scooping up the waters of the Wascana Lake and destroying the Wascana Park. An eye-witness says he noticed two dark, heavy clouds —one travelling from the south-east. They met directly in the south of the city, and a terrific cyclone formed, which swept through the city over a strip about four blocks wide. Crosing the Wascana Lake, the storm demolished the boat clubhouse, and the people boating were undoubtedly drowned. In the telephone exchange were 10 girls working. The collapse of a roof gave them a brief warning, and the girls attempted to reach the basement. Some were successful and others were caught in the wreck. All were eventually taken from the building more or less injured, none seriously except Miss Russell, who has broken her back and cannot recover.