The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-04-26
STORMS AND FLOODS.
The Severest Storm Ever Known
in California.
RAILROADS BURIED FORTY FEET IN
SNOW.
Narrow Escape of Sacramento from De-
Struction.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 24.-Since last Tues
day railway and telegraph communication has
been cut off between Alta ON the west and,
Franklin on the east side of the mountains.
mountains but throughout the State. In the
valleys the rainfall has been heavy and al
most constant and rivers and streams are full
to overlooking. The levees in MANY places
are carried away and tracks washed away.
The low lands are under water and country
roads impossible and bridges swept away
Great fears were felt at one time for the safety
OF Sacramento, Maysville and other valley
towns. Fortunately the rain changed to snow
on the Slerras otherwise the whole valley of
the sacramento and San Joaquin would have
been flooded. AS it is no disaster of general
nature occurred, but the damage to crops,
fences, etc., is heavy. In the mountains over
10 feet OF snow has fallen, while in some
places the railroad line has drifted 40 feet
deep. Avalanches swept the sides of the
mountains, crushing snow sheds, burying the
track and carrying away telegraph lines.
Near Alton land slide buried and tore away
the track and road-bed Snow plows, each
driven by ten engines, have been dashing
through the drifts and hundreds of men toiled
with shovels where the the plows could not'be
driven The storm has now ceased and the
track is virtually clear, with the exception of
the landslide which is being removed by min
ing hydraulics Probably the movement of
trains will commence tonight. During the
storm west bound trains including the Boston
excursion, was laid up at Reno and Truckee,
and east bound trains at Colfax and Sacra-
mento. None were caught in the blockade
and the passengers suffered no discomfort.
The storm was the heaviest and most pro tract
ed ever encountered on tn line of the Central
Pacific, but everything now points to settled
fair weather.
Another Storm in Missouri.
ST. Louis, April 24.-It is reported that an
other destructive storm passed over south
eastern Missouri today doing a large amount
of damage. No loss of life is reported, but
many persons were injured.
An Illinois Cyclone-Several Persons
Killed.
QUINCY, April pa cyclone struck the
north line of Adams county last night, doing
great damage. Twenty houses and barns were
demolished and several persons killed and
wounded-names unknown.
CHICAGO, April 25.-Further reports show
that last nights storm extended over the
whole northwest with frequent tornado-like
exhibitions. In Lorraine, Iowa, Friday night
a cyclone destroyed everything in its path
half mile wide. Seven houses were levelled
and number of outbuildings destroyed.
Several persons were seriously injured. Last
nights rain and lightning caused much dam
age in Chicago but only in small amounts
Half dozen persons were injured by light
ming striking the houses. Rochester, near
Springfield, ILL.,, and Carlinville, also had a
severe destructive wind storm. Cold weather
and heavy soil have prevented seeding in most
parts ofsthe northwest. Farmers are much be-
hind with spring work, particularly in MINES