Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-04
COUNCIL BLUFFS DELUGED.
Seething Torrents of Water Rushing
Through the Streets.

! Seething Torrents of Water Rushing
| Through the Streets.
| COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, June AT
y 6O'clock last evening one of the worst
rain storms that ever visited this vicinity
set in, and for four hours it poured in tor
rents. Indian Greek, which runs through
the heart of the city, Overflowed and the
damage is roughly estimated at 5000, 900.
seven iron bridges and two stone culverts
belonging to the city were swept away, as
were also several dwellings and barns.
All the business houses on Main street
and Broadway were flooded. Several
lives are reported lost. The water in the
streets, one block from the creek, was
waist deep, with a swift current.
Cries for help could be heard in every di-
rectlOn, but the swittness of the current
rendered assistance impossible. At 1905
O'Clock II was still raining in torrents
The Hood rose so quickly that many busi-
ness men found it impossible to reach
their wives and children, and a number
narrowly escaped death from drowning
while endeavoring to get to their homes.
The gloom and monrning in the CITY is
universal.
The NORpdrlel will say in its issue this
morning: "A most frightful calamity oc-
CURED last evening after six o'clock. 1t
had been threatening rain during the
entire day, with occasional showers.
but when evening came it seemed as
though the very heavens fell. Dark pOr.
tentiOus clouds swept around to the east
ward and charged their torrents into the
head waters OF Indian creek, and the food.
with constantly Increasing volume, pour
ed through Council Bluffs, sweeping
away bridges and culverts from one end
of the stream to the other. Many build
lngs were swept away. All that part of
the city lying between the bluffs and
Broadway, on the north, was inundated
by the rushing and boiling waters.
The sight was awful to behold.
At midnight a general gloom spread
over the city, which was increased by
the continuance of the rain, although
the creek seemed to have spent its fury.
The water in the western and southern
part of the city is rapidly rising and
many people have been compelled to take
to boats to escape. 1t is impossible at
this hour to give the facts as to the ex-
tent of the devastation by the storm, but
the loss to the city alone will be hundreds
of thousands of dollars Independent to
that Of private parties"
The rain storm last night was unprece-
dented in force. 1t began shortly before
= O'Clock, and continued until $3.50 or
O'Clock. During much of the time rain
fell with such force that it's effect to those
exposed TO 1t was similar to that of
heavy shower, but such was its
force at times that it would almost
take PERSONS breath away. There was
no wind. A number of persons were re-
ported drowned last evening, but it turns
out to-day that no lives were lost, although
some hairbreadth escapes are reported.
The rear wall of the new opera house in
course of erection has fallen. 1t was over
30 feet high. The side walls are cracked,
and are liable to fall as they settle.
All the bridges as far down as Eighth
street are gone, including two stone
bridges, which alone cost nearly 5000
Hundreds of families living adjacent to
the creek were driven from their homes,
which were more or less damaged. A
number of houses were dashed to pieces
as they tiOated off.
One heavy iron bridge, with 80 foot
span, was carried most two blocks, and
the heavy iron girders and stringers
were bent and waxed as if they had been
wire ropes. The damage is now estimated
at 100000. The citizens have done
everything in their power to relieve
those in need of help, and all are
now comfortable. Mayor Bowman has
received kilograms from various surround
ing cities asking if aid is needed, and has
replied that Council Bluffs will be able to
take care of the suffering without assist
ance, Every citizen is doing his whole
duty, both financially and by personal eX-
ertiOns.
New ORLEANS, June "A CRYSTAL
Springs, Miss, special says: "During
terrible thunder storm this evening. Mrs.
Mary Fields store was struck by light
nmg. Miss Clara Cook was killed. She
was surrounded by several ladies, all of
whom egcanpd -