The Placer herald., 1861-03-30
Storm..-High Water--.Damage.


is supposed to be fully informed on every
thing pertaining to weather, back to the
time when the memory Of younger folks does
not reach, shakes his head doubtfully now,
and is inclined to admit that the storm OF
the week just passed has never been excel
led in violence, and in the quantity of rain
descending in the same length of time.
The balmy spring weather of several
weeks was superseded by grand storm on
Saturday, and from that time until Thursday
the rain fell with but little intermssion, and
much of the time in torrents. Ravines and
creeks became formidable streams, and the
rivers, wild, laging floods. The forks Of the
American are said to have been higher than
ever before known. Bear river has over
flowed all of the bottom lands in its course
through the plains, and at this time the
damage to fences, and the loss of cattle is
believed to have been very large. Coon
Creek, usually stream of small dimensions,
became broad river, at Cox's ranch, cover
ing the bottom lands three and four feet
with water This creek terminates in the
tules, 1t is feared the farmers on the creek
have suffered greatly. Auburn ravine, that
heads in the main range overlooking the
American, and runs directly west to the
tules bordering the Sacramento river, sent
out column that threatened destruction to
everything in its course, and although the
injury dore is not as much as was at first
anticipated, vet it is estimated that $4,000
will not cover the damage to the deep min
ing claims alone at Orc City and Virginia.
Every one of the deep claims at those places
and lelow are said to be filled with earth
to an amount that will require three months
labor to remove. The ranches on the ravine
below those towns, have also sustained con
siderable injury by overflow, the washing of
sand upon them, and the carrying away of
fences. The Auburn Rrvne Turnpike was
also washed in Il number of places, but the
strong retaining walls of stone prevented
much harm from being done.
On the North Fork Turnpike, slides of
earth and rock from the mountain side took
place that olstructed travel for lime but
these have since been removed
MANY incidents and accidents are related
as having been connected with the storm,
but beyond damage and loss of property
nothing of a more ruinou> character has oc-
Cured in this part of the country.
There has been an almost general derange-
ment of travelling facilities. the stages being
thrown out of time or off their trips where
the creeks to cross have been swollen and
dangerous The Dutch Flat and George
town lines of stages Lave, however, been
able to connect regularly AT Folsom, as these
routes are not cut by mountain water cour-
ses of any dimensions.
During Wednesday and the night follow
ing the American rose rapidly at Sacra.
mento. The new bridge at the mouth of
that river was carried away, as well as the
bukhead built last summer to protect the
upper levee Sutter Lake filled rapidly, sur
rounding the houses in the vicinity Of the
gas works, and for a time it was thought the
city would be flooded by the breaking of the
levee. But on yesterday the Sacramento
papers reported decline of seven inches in
the food. But the present indications are
that the rivers will go to higher mark, as
during yesterday the rain fell almost inces-
sanity.
From all accounts the storm has been one
of the most remarkable that has ever occur
red in the State. And from the accounts
from various quarters, through the press,
a vast destruction of property has taken
place, in the sweeping off of bridges, stock,
etc.